UN Condemns Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict, Urges Immediate Action for Accountability
The United Nations has condemned the alarming rise in civilian casualties in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and humanitarian intervention amid ongoing conflict.
In a fresh report from the UN human rights office (OHCHR), as published by Arab News, it was revealed that women and children comprise nearly 70 percent of the verified fatalities, with the death toll in Gaza surpassing 43,500 according to the Palestinian health ministry. The report detailed a series of violations of international law since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which sparked the current conflict. The UN warned that many actions could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide. Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN rights office in the Palestinian territories, characterized the situation as a “dystopia of destruction and devastation,” highlighting the extensive suffering faced by civilians.
The report pointed to the Israeli government’s failures to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, with 80 percent of verified deaths occurring in Israeli attacks on residential buildings. Among the verified 10,000 fatalities, 4,700 were children and 2,461 were women. The youngest victim was a one-day-old boy, while the oldest was a 97-year-old woman. The UN noted that children between the ages of five and nine made up the largest group of victims, raising serious concerns regarding compliance with international humanitarian law.
While the report also addressed violations by Hamas, including hostage-taking and torture, it stressed the disproportionate impact on civilians. UN rights chief Volker Turk called for immediate global action to halt violations and ensure accountability, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Meanwhile, a committee of global food security experts warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza and urged swift action to avert catastrophe as the U.S. imposes a deadline for Israel to improve humanitarian conditions.
