The report sheds light on the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling into question the methods of warfare employed.
**UN Report: Civilian Toll in Gaza Conflict is Alarming, Majority Women and Children**
**UN Report: Civilian Toll in Gaza Conflict is Alarming, Majority Women and Children**
The UN emphasizes the dire situation in Gaza, highlighting that close to 70% of verified casualties are women and children.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has released a worrying report indicating that nearly 70% of the casualties in the ongoing Gaza conflict are women and children. The agency revealed that approximately 44% of verified victims were children and around 26% were women, raising significant alarms regarding the impact of military actions in densely populated areas.
The UN attributes this high percentage of civilian deaths primarily to the Israeli military's use of weapons with broad-reaching effects. However, it also acknowledges that some fatalities may stem from misdirected projectiles launched by Palestinian armed factions. Throughout an analysis covering the last six months, the UN has documented approximately 8,119 fatalities in Gaza, emphasizing that about 80% occurred in residential settings.
The report points toward alarming violations of international humanitarian law, with the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, underscoring the urgent need for accountability regarding these allegations. He cited fundamental principles of international law that military operations appear to breach, including the necessity to differentiate between military targets and civilians, as well as the principle of proportionality, which requires that civilian harm not outweigh military advantages.
The crisis is severe in northern Gaza, where there has been significant destruction of civilian infrastructure, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by hunger and lack of healthcare. The UN has noted that humanitarian aid was severely restricted since early October due to the ongoing hostilities, prompting international calls for Israel to increase aid or face repercussions in military support.
Organizations involved in aid efforts describe the situation as catastrophic, with images reminiscent of historical war zones. Insightful visits to Gaza have revealed widespread devastation, with children and women bearing the brunt of the conflict's impacts. The escalating violence began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, leading to a military campaign that has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
The UN attributes this high percentage of civilian deaths primarily to the Israeli military's use of weapons with broad-reaching effects. However, it also acknowledges that some fatalities may stem from misdirected projectiles launched by Palestinian armed factions. Throughout an analysis covering the last six months, the UN has documented approximately 8,119 fatalities in Gaza, emphasizing that about 80% occurred in residential settings.
The report points toward alarming violations of international humanitarian law, with the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, underscoring the urgent need for accountability regarding these allegations. He cited fundamental principles of international law that military operations appear to breach, including the necessity to differentiate between military targets and civilians, as well as the principle of proportionality, which requires that civilian harm not outweigh military advantages.
The crisis is severe in northern Gaza, where there has been significant destruction of civilian infrastructure, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe characterized by hunger and lack of healthcare. The UN has noted that humanitarian aid was severely restricted since early October due to the ongoing hostilities, prompting international calls for Israel to increase aid or face repercussions in military support.
Organizations involved in aid efforts describe the situation as catastrophic, with images reminiscent of historical war zones. Insightful visits to Gaza have revealed widespread devastation, with children and women bearing the brunt of the conflict's impacts. The escalating violence began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, leading to a military campaign that has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
