Unrest in Gaza: UN Reports Over 400 Deaths Due to Israeli Forces During Food Aid Distribution
Over 410 fatalities recorded in Gaza as a result of food distribution operations since May
In the heat of the ongoing food distribution crisis in Gaza, Israeli forces have allegedly claimed the lives of at least 410 individuals since late May, according to UN reports. "Over the past few weeks, Israeli military forces have been relentlessly targeting Palestinians attempting to reach food distribution centers, resulting in a significant number of deaths," stated Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva.
Al-Kheetan clarified that these 410 fatalities were caused by Israeli forces' attacks. The UN office has investigated each of these cases. To add further complexity, gunfire from armed groups in the vicinity of the food distribution has also been reported. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization supported by the US and Israel, is managing these distribution centers.
According to the reports, 93 people lost their lives while striving to approach the rare UN convoys permitted in the area. Approximately 3,000 Palestinians have suffered injuries during the same period.
Al-Kheetan accused Israel of breaching international law by impeding UN convoys, aimed at assisting the suffering population. Denying civilians essential aid is considered a war crime according to international standards. However, the final judgment lies with the courts. Al-Kheetan went on to say, "Israel's militarized system for humanitarian aid defies international standards for the distribution of relief goods. Such measures not only endanger the civilian population but also contribute to the woeful humanitarian state in Gaza."
Critics argue that Israel's actions in Gaza violate various international laws, including provisions under the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Genocide Convention, and the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Understanding International Law Violations
- International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
- Attacks on humanitarian convoys and the prevention of aid are key breaches of IHL. These acts endanger innocent civilians and defy the principle of humanitarian relief.
- The Israeli military's actions of firing upon Palestinians attempting to secure aid have been denounced as IHL violations, as they contribute to the catastrophic humanitarian predicament in Gaza.
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) Orders
- The ICJ has explicitly stipulated that Israel must take immediate and effective measures to ensure that vital humanitarian assistance, including food, water, medical supplies, shelter, electricity, and sanitation facilities, reaches the Palestinians in Gaza.
- The Court has called on Israel to halt actions that could lead to genocide under the Genocide Convention and to increase the capacity of land crossing points for as long as necessary to enable aid to reach Gaza.
- Blocking UN aid convoys and firing upon civilians seeking aid directly contravenes these ICJ orders issued in the 2024 South Africa v. Israel case.
- Genocide Convention
- Israel risks violating provisions of the Genocide Convention that aim to protect populations from acts intended to destroy them by depriving civilians of necessary humanitarian aid. The court highlighted Israel’s responsibility to prevent genocide by ensuring vital aid supplies.
- War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
- Human rights and legal organizations have cautioned that the privatization of humanitarian operations in Gaza, coordinated with Israeli forces and leading to fatalities and injuries, may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.
In Conclusion
Blocking UN convoys supplying humanitarian aid in Gaza contravenes fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, violates ICJ binding orders regarding humanitarian access, and risks classifying as crimes under the Genocide Convention. These actions have been linked to numerous civilian deaths and suffering, the deepening of the humanitarian crisis, and potential allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity for obstructing the delivery of life-saving aid.
Therefore, the international legal framework unequivocally prohibits the obstructing of UN convoys delivering humanitarian aid. Consequently, Israel is required to facilitate unrestricted access to prevent further humanitarian calamity in Gaza.
In this context, discussions regarding the violation of international law in Gaza should include the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), where attacks on humanitarian convoys and the prevention of aid are considered breaches. Furthermore, Israel's actions in obstructing UN aid convoys and firing upon civilians seeking aid potentially constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity under the category of 'War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity'.
