UN knocks Israel continue raids on Gaza, says women, children account for most victims
In response to the raging war in Gaza, the United Nations has condemned the massive civilian toll in the besieged enclave due to Israel’s ongoing military actions with nearly 70 percent of the verified deaths consisting of women and children.
In a new report, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) detailed a range of international law violations that could qualify as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potentially even “genocide.” It emphasized the urgent need for global action to prevent “atrocity crimes” and ensure accountability.
“Civilians in Gaza have borne the brunt of the attacks, including through the initial ‘complete siege’ of Gaza by Israeli forces,” the UN report noted.
“Conduct by Israeli forces has caused unprecedented levels of killings, death, injury, starvation, illness, and disease.” It criticized Israel’s ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, as well as the widespread displacement.
Israel’s mission to the UN in Geneva has rejected the report, accusing OHCHR of “demonizing Israel.”
Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN rights office’s Palestinian territories unit, described Gaza as a “rubble-strewn landscape,” where survivors are left “injured, displaced, and starving.”
The report addressed the estimated 43,500 civilian deaths, with OHCHR able to verify around 10,000 fatalities, 70 percent of whom were women and children. Verified fatalities include 4,700 children and 2,461 women, killed in attacks on residential areas. The report raised serious concerns about Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law’s principles of distinction and precaution.
UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the international community to halt the violations and support accountability through credible judicial bodies, urging for the immediate cessation of violence, the release of hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
