A UN report underscores the grave impact of the Gaza conflict, revealing that women and children make up nearly 70% of the fatalities. The agency cited indiscriminate warfare tactics and high civilian casualties that raise serious concerns regarding violations of international law.
UN Report Reveals Alarming Civilians Toll in Gaza Conflict
UN Report Reveals Alarming Civilians Toll in Gaza Conflict
Nearly 70% of the Gaza war casualties are women and children, according to a recent UN analysis highlighting the humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has released a shocking report indicating that approximately 70% of the casualties in the ongoing Gaza conflict comprise women and children. From November 2023 to April 2024, the agency verified the deaths of 8,119 individuals, revealing that around 44% were children, while 26% were women. This alarming statistic raises profound concerns regarding the conduct of warfare and its compliance with international humanitarian law.
The UN attributes this disproportionate civilian toll largely to Israel's use of munitions with wide-area effects in densely populated regions. While some civilian deaths may result from errant projectiles fired by Palestinian armed groups, the report stresses that the overall human cost reflects a disturbing trend of "unprecedented" breaches of international law and serious potential war crimes. Despite these allegations, the Israel Defense Forces maintain that their operations are in line with international law, emphasizing their focus on targeting Hamas and minimizing civilian risks.
The devastation in Gaza has led to severe humanitarian consequences, as the IDF's military actions have decimated residential buildings, with around 80% of victims killed in such structures. Furthermore, reports from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry indicate that total fatalities may exceed 43,300 over the past 13 months. This only adds to the crisis, as many bodies are believed to still be trapped beneath the rubble.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed grave concerns about the escalating civilian casualties, attributing them to a failure to adhere to basic principles of warfare. He stressed the necessity for accountability regarding violations of international law, particularly concerning the distinction between combatants and civilians and proportionality in military attacks.
The report also highlighted the plight of those remaining in Gaza, where the impact of the conflict has caused horrific suffering. Destruction of civilian infrastructure has left many without access to basic necessities such as water, food, or healthcare, especially in the northern regions of Gaza, which have seen a severe humanitarian blockade since early October.
Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, echoed the sentiments of despair during a recent visit to Gaza, describing the widespread destruction as "beyond belief." He underscored that it is primarily children and women who bear the brunt of this ongoing conflict, calling it a senseless war that inflicts unbearable pain on innocent lives.
The ongoing military actions followed Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the hostage-taking of 251 people back to Gaza. As the situation continues to deteriorate, urgent calls for increased humanitarian aid have been voiced, especially as the deadline approaches for Israel to enhance assistance to affected communities.
