The ongoing Gaza War conflict has exacted a devastating toll on civilians, with United Nations reports highlighting an alarming pattern of death and destruction. According to a recent UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) report, around 70% of verified fatalities in Gaza over the last year have been women and children, emphasizing what the UN calls a fundamental failure to protect non-combatants under international humanitarian law.
This report underscores the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where critical infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and food supplies are systematically being destroyed. Humanitarian agencies like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) warn of an impending famine and health disaster, compounded by relentless attacks on residential areas and schools.
Civilian Casualties and International Law Violations
The OHCHR’s findings indicate that the majority of fatalities in Gaza – about 70% – have been women and children, highlighting a systematic failure to uphold international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions.
These principles mandate that warring parties avoid targeting civilians and ensure proportionality in their actions. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk noted that the continued loss of civilian life points to a broader issue of inadequate regard for these rules. The report further reveals that nearly 80% of deaths occurred in residential buildings, with 44% of the victims being children and 26% women.
This pattern of civilian casualties has persisted despite international calls to prevent harm to Gaza’s non-combatants. The Israeli military has faced accusations from the UN and various humanitarian groups, who argue that the tactics employed demonstrate “an apparent indifference to the death of civilians.”
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The OHCHR’s data reflects cases of entire families, including babies, young children, and the elderly, killed in residential attacks.
The data from Gaza illustrates the immense challenge of adhering to international humanitarian standards in densely populated urban areas, where attacks on buildings can have catastrophic consequences. The OHCHR’s findings demand an urgent reassessment of tactics in Gaza and a commitment to safeguarding civilians, as required under the Geneva Conventions.
Deteriorating Humanitarian Conditions and the Crisis in Health and Education
As hostilities continue, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated at an unprecedented rate, with essential services collapsing. According to UNICEF, nearly every school in Gaza has been damaged or destroyed, with at least 64 targeted attacks on educational facilities within the past month alone.
These attacks have resulted in significant loss of life, including that of children attending these institutions. Such destruction has deprived Gaza’s youth of an education, perpetuating a cycle of trauma, poverty, and lack of opportunity.
The impact on healthcare is equally dire. According to the World Health Organization, less than a third of Gaza’s hospitals are functioning, with the remaining ones overwhelmed by the volume of casualties and the damage to infrastructure. Reports show that critical health facilities, including maternity wards and children’s units, have been hit by artillery shells and airstrikes.
One of Gaza’s largest hospitals, Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, is particularly affected, receiving a constant influx of wounded individuals daily. Many civilians requiring urgent care have no access to necessary treatment, leading to excess mortality that could have been avoided in a stable environment.
The WHO has also warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, where the majority of recent military operations are concentrated. Starvation, malnutrition, and diseases are on the rise, exacerbated by a significant reduction in aid shipments into Gaza.
Before the escalation of hostilities, Gaza received around 500 commercial and aid trucks daily. In recent months, that number has dropped to fewer than 60, causing food prices to skyrocket by over 300%. The WHO has called for immediate intervention to prevent starvation, warning that famine thresholds may soon be crossed if relief efforts do not increase.
The Impact of Restricted Aid Access and Rising Food Insecurity
The restriction of humanitarian aid has worsened the crisis in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without adequate food, water, or medical supplies. The World Food Programme (WFP) has documented the sharp decline in aid trucks entering Gaza, noting that the second half of October saw the lowest levels of aid in over a year.
Access restrictions have hindered the ability of aid organizations to deliver essential supplies to those in need, as the price of basic food items continues to climb beyond the reach of most families.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, there is a “strong likelihood” that famine is on the horizon, especially in northern Gaza, where intensified attacks have led to mass displacement and destroyed local markets and infrastructure.
The WHO’s latest data shows a rapid escalation in malnutrition and starvation rates, with a particularly high risk for children and pregnant women. The organization has called for a swift and safe increase in humanitarian aid, urging the international community to respond within days, rather than weeks, to avert further disaster.
The UN and humanitarian agencies have also raised concerns about the impact of conflict-related trauma on Gaza’s population, especially on children. With schools destroyed and basic needs unmet, the future of Gaza’s youth is under serious threat.
The psychological toll of living in constant fear, coupled with the lack of educational and recreational outlets, has left children in Gaza vulnerable to long-term trauma and mental health issues. Organizations like UNICEF are working to provide psychosocial support, but without sustained humanitarian access, these efforts remain severely limited.
Israeli Response and International Appeals for Accountability
The Israeli government, through its agency COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), has rejected many of the UN’s claims, particularly those regarding famine warnings and accusations of international law violations.
COGAT has stated that Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) operate in accordance with international law and that they actively work to prevent civilian casualties by urging Gaza residents to leave combat zones.
According to COGAT, Israel has facilitated the entry of over 39,000 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid in recent months, though these figures have been contested by the UN and other humanitarian organizations on the ground.
Israel maintains that it takes measures to minimize civilian harm, asserting that Hamas often uses civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, as operational bases. These allegations, however, are challenged by international bodies that argue Israel’s actions are often disproportionate and contribute to high civilian fatalities.
The international community continues to urge both sides to adhere to humanitarian principles, but as the conflict drags on, solutions remain elusive.
The UN’s appeal for accountability has focused on addressing the widespread human suffering in Gaza and implementing mechanisms to prevent further harm to civilians. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts and called on all parties to observe restraint, protect civilians, and allow unfettered access for humanitarian aid.
As the conflict continues, these calls for accountability are echoed by a growing number of human rights advocates and international legal experts who insist that adherence to international humanitarian law is essential for peace and stability.
The humanitarian toll in Gaza remains severe, with the UN documenting an overwhelming majority of fatalities as women and children. The continued violence, coupled with the destruction of essential infrastructure, has created a dire environment that threatens the survival and well-being of countless civilians.
As calls for accountability grow, the international community faces a moral imperative to respond decisively, ensuring protection for the innocent and fostering the conditions necessary for lasting peace.
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