A UN report reveals a staggering 70% of verified death tolls from the Gaza conflict involve women and children, attributing the tragic numbers to warfare practices and calling for accountability under international law.
UN Reports Alarming Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict: 70% Women and Children
UN Reports Alarming Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict: 70% Women and Children
The ongoing war in Gaza has led to unprecedented civilian fatalities, with a recent UN report highlighting that nearly 70% of casualties are women and children.
The UN's Human Rights Office has released a troubling report indicating that nearly 70% of the civilian casualties in the ongoing Gaza conflict are women and children. According to their findings, approximately 44% of the verified victims are children while 26% are women, resulting in a total of 8,119 confirmed deaths since November 2023. The analysis highlights that 80% of these victims were killed in residential areas, underscoring the heavy toll on non-combatants amid the warfare.
This extensive loss of life is largely attributed to Israel's use of weaponry designed for wide-area effects in densely populated locations. The UN report does caution that some casualties could stem from errant fire by Palestinian armed factions. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the apparent violations of international humanitarian law, referencing crucial principles such as the distinction between civilians and combatants and the requisite for proportional military actions. He demanded accountability for these serious allegations of misconduct.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) asserting their operations align with international law, the report notes the situation in northern Gaza has worsened significantly, especially following a recent ground offensive initiated on October 7, 2023. Reports from aid groups suggest that the area has endured severe deprivation since then, with no humanitarian aid entering during critical early months of the offensive.
Jan Egeland, from the Norwegian Refugee Council, echoed these concerns after witnessing the dire conditions firsthand. His comments painted a bleak picture, reminiscent of historic war-torn cities. The striking data and personal accounts reflect a grim reality, where it is predominantly women and children who are suffering most due to the ongoing conflict, raising questions about the future of international military and humanitarian responses in the region.
