Janice R. Andrews
UN Probe Reveals Civilian Death Toll in Gaza Conflict
On Friday, the United Nations condemned the staggering number of civilian casualties in the ongoing Gaza conflict, revealing that nearly 70% of the verified fatalities are women and children. The report, released by the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), paints a grim picture of the devastation caused by Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Women and Children Account for Most Deaths
The OHCHR report indicated that the majority of casualties in Gaza were civilians, particularly women and children. Of the verified 10,000 deaths, roughly 70% were identified as women and children. The youngest victim was a one-day-old baby, while the oldest was a 97-year-old woman. The report also found that children aged 5 to 9 were the most affected group.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN rights office’s activities in the Palestinian territories, described the situation in Gaza as a “dystopia of destruction” and stated that survivors are left injured, displaced, and struggling to access food and medical care.
Violations of International Law
The OHCHR report accused both Israel and Hamas of committing severe violations of international law, including acts that could be classified as war crimes or crimes against humanity.
For Israel, the report condemned its military operations, particularly the complete siege imposed on Gaza, which has led to critical shortages of food, medicine, and other basic necessities. The siege has also caused widespread starvation and illness among civilians.
The UN also criticized Israel for its destruction of civilian infrastructure, such as homes, schools, and hospitals, and for blocking the entry of humanitarian aid. The report highlighted that 80% of verified deaths occurred during Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings, raising concerns about the legality of such attacks under international humanitarian law.
Israel Rejects the Report
Israel’s mission to the UN in Geneva strongly rejected the findings, accusing the OHCHR of bias. The Israeli representatives argued that the report unfairly targeted Israel and misrepresented its actions. Israel insists that its military operations are directed at Hamas militants and that they comply with international law.
However, the UN’s report suggests otherwise, noting that the civilian death toll is largely reflective of Gaza’s population, which is predominantly non-combatant. This raises serious concerns about the Israeli military’s compliance with the principle of distinction, which mandates the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
The UN report paints a dire picture of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities, nearly 34,500 people have been killed since the conflict began, though access to independent verification remains limited. Despite this, the UN stands by the death toll provided by Gaza’s health ministry.
The UN’s rigorous verification process found that 70% of the casualties were women and children. The report also pointed out that the overwhelming majority of deaths were in residential areas, reinforcing concerns over Israel’s adherence to the principle of proportionality in its military operations.
Violations by Hamas
The report also condemned Hamas and other armed groups for committing serious violations of international law, including taking hostages, killing civilians, and perpetrating torture and sexual violence. These actions, particularly those carried out during the October 7 attack, were also categorized as potential war crimes.
The attack resulted in 1,206 Israeli deaths, most of whom were civilians, according to official Israeli figures. The UN emphasized that Hamas’s actions also warrant international scrutiny and accountability.
Call for Global Accountability
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on the international community to take immediate action to end the violence and ensure justice through impartial and credible judicial processes. Turk stressed that accountability is essential for preventing further atrocities and protecting civilians.
“It is imperative that all countries support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable,” Turk stated, emphasizing the need for an immediate end to the violence, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The Path Forward
The UN’s call for international intervention comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. The global community is under increasing pressure to broker a ceasefire and facilitate the flow of aid to those in need.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza highlights the urgent need for compliance with international humanitarian law and for a renewed focus on the protection of civilians, especially women and children, who have borne the brunt of the violence.
