Obituary – Death – Cause of Death News : Amnesty International’s new investigation reveals that Israeli forces did not take all necessary precautions to spare civilians during attacks on camps for internally displaced people in the Gaza Strip in May. The attacks, which targeted Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, resulted in the deaths of 23 civilians, including women and children, and should be investigated as potential war crimes.
The first incident occurred on May 26, when Israeli air strikes on the Kuwaiti Peace Camp in Rafah killed at least 36 people and injured over 100. The air strikes, which used US-made weapons, targeted Hamas commanders within the camp, resulting in disproportionate and indiscriminate harm to civilians. The second incident on May 28 saw tank shells fired at a designated “humanitarian zone,” killing 23 civilians, including children, women, and men. The targets of this attack were Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters, further endangering civilian lives.
Despite the presence of fighters in the camps, Amnesty International emphasizes that all parties involved should have taken necessary precautions to protect civilians. The organization interviewed survivors, visited hospitals, and examined satellite imagery to gather evidence for their report. Questions have been sent to Israeli and Hamas authorities regarding the incidents, but no responses have been received thus far.
Amnesty International calls on all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and abide by international humanitarian laws. The organization’s findings highlight the tragic consequences of targeting fighters within civilian areas, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for the victims of these attacks. The Israeli military has access to smaller precise missiles carried by drones, containing less explosives and having a smaller area effect. However, in a recent attack on an IDP camp on 26 May, the Israeli military used explosive munitions with wide area effects instead of smaller area effect munitions, potentially failing to minimize harm to civilians. The attack was likely disproportionate, as the civilian casualties were excessive compared to the military advantage gained from targeting two Hamas commanders.
Maps published by the Israeli military changed the boundaries of the “humanitarian zone,” causing confusion among civilians who continued to shelter in the area. The Israeli military’s response to the strikes has been to “investigate,” but documentation from human rights organizations suggests a lack of impartiality in investigating violations against Palestinian civilians.
The strikes on the Kuwaiti Peace Camp resulted in severe civilian casualties, including decapitations, deep cuts, broken limbs, and burns. The majority of casualties were caused by bomb fragments. Among the victims were members of the al-Attar family, who had been staying in the camp after being displaced by the war. One survivor described the devastation and loss of life caused by the strikes.
In another incident on 28 May, the Israeli military launched tank shells at a location in the al-Mawasi area of Rafah, killing 23 people and injuring many more. The area had been designated as a “humanitarian zone” by the Israeli military. The strikes may have targeted fighters from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad staying near displaced civilians. Amnesty International’s analysis identified the ordnance used as 120mm tank rounds. The tragic attack on the al-Hams family home in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of two young children and another civilian, has been linked to Israeli military positions within 120mm cannon range, as indicated by satellite imagery. The attack also led to the death of 20 displaced civilians, including women and children, in a nearby camp.
The uncle of the children, Mohammad Salah al-Hams, recounted the harrowing moments when the shells hit, describing the devastating impact on the family. Another displaced woman, Isra Ali, shared her heart-wrenching experience of losing her husband and son in the attack.
While the Israeli military did not provide an explanation for the attack, they later denied targeting the Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi. The incident prompted residents to confront armed groups in the area and eventually led to the displacement of the entire population.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in successive waves of mass displacement, further exacerbated by Israel’s illegal blockade, restricting the movement of civilians seeking safety. It is crucial for all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law, which aims to protect civilians during military operations.
The principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution are highlighted as essential obligations for both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups. These principles require parties to differentiate between military objectives and civilians, avoid indiscriminate attacks, and take precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects.
The tragic events in Gaza underscore the urgent need for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and comply with international humanitarian law to prevent further loss of innocent lives. More than one million Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes in Rafah due to Israel’s military operations in the area. Amnesty International has conducted detailed investigations into 16 Israeli air strikes since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of 370 civilians, including 159 children, and numerous injuries. These attacks have been deemed as potential war crimes, with evidence of direct attacks on civilians, civilian objects, and indiscriminate attacks uncovered.
The organization is urging the International Criminal Court to expedite its investigation into the situation in Palestine and is advocating for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties. Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have also been criticized for their actions, including indiscriminate rocket attacks on southern Israel and the deliberate targeting of civilians.
Amnesty International is calling for these groups to be held accountable for their actions, which include mass killings, abductions, and hostage-taking. The organization stresses the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and demands the immediate release of all civilian hostages held in Gaza.
The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory is dire, with countless innocent lives at risk due to ongoing violence and conflict. It is crucial for the international community to take action to protect civilians and hold those responsible for war crimes accountable. Amnesty International’s efforts to document and expose these violations are essential in advocating for justice and peace in the region.
Israel/OPT: Israeli attacks targeting Hamas and other armed group fighters that killed scores of displaced civilians in Rafah should be investigated as war crimes – occupied Palestinian territory
Are Israeli attacks targeting Hamas and other armed group fighters in Gaza Strip considered war crimes? Let’s delve into the recent events in Rafah and analyze the implications of the civilian casualties in the conflict.
The recent Israeli attacks in Rafah have resulted in the deaths of scores of displaced civilians, raising concerns about potential war crimes. According to international law, attacks targeting civilians or civilian objects are prohibited under all circumstances. The deliberate targeting of civilians, even if it is done in pursuit of military objectives, constitutes a war crime.
In the case of Rafah, the Israeli military has claimed that their airstrikes were targeting Hamas and other armed group fighters. However, the high number of civilian casualties raises questions about the proportionality and necessity of these attacks. Were the Israeli forces taking all necessary precautions to minimize harm to civilians? Were the attacks specifically directed at military targets, or were they indiscriminate in nature?
The principle of proportionality requires that any military action must not exceed what is necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective. In the case of Rafah, it is crucial to investigate whether the Israeli attacks were proportional to the threat posed by the armed groups in the area. Were the civilian casualties a direct result of the attacks on military targets, or were they a disproportionate and unnecessary consequence of the military operation?
Furthermore, the principle of distinction requires that parties to a conflict must distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times. This means that attacks must be directed only at legitimate military targets and not at civilians or civilian objects. In the case of Rafah, were the Israeli forces able to accurately distinguish between civilians and combatants? Were the attacks specifically directed at legitimate military targets, or were they indiscriminate and resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians?
In conclusion, the recent Israeli attacks in Rafah targeting Hamas and other armed group fighters should be thoroughly investigated as potential war crimes. The high number of civilian casualties raises serious concerns about the proportionality and necessity of the attacks, as well as the ability of the Israeli forces to distinguish between civilians and combatants. It is essential that a transparent and impartial investigation is conducted to determine whether international humanitarian law was violated in the conflict.
