In brief
A UN analysis of the ongoing conflict in Gaza indicates that nearly 70% of civilian deaths are women and children, with urgent calls for compliance with international humanitarian law amid growing humanitarian crises.
The United Nations has raised alarm over the staggering civilian casualty figures in the ongoing Gaza conflict, revealing that approximately 70% of verified victims during a recent six-month period were women and children. In their report, the UN's Human Rights Office reported that of the 8,119 verified deaths, about 44% were children and 26% were women, with the majority occurring in residential areas.The agency attributes the high civilian death toll largely to Israel's use of wide-area effect weapons in densely populated regions, although some deaths may also be due to errant missiles fired by Palestinian armed groups. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk criticized the apparent indifference to civilian casualties and urged accountability regarding allegations of serious violations of international humanitarian law.According to figures provided by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, over 43,300 deaths have occurred in the last 13 months, with a significant portion of this toll comprising children and women. It was noted that children alone account for about one in three fatalities in the conflict. Türk emphasized the principle of distinction, which mandates that warring parties distinguish between military targets and civilian individuals, and criticized the methods of warfare employed, which have led to what he termed "horrific human suffering.”The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, particularly in the north, where aid has been severely restricted. The UN reported that no food aid had entered the northern region during the early weeks of October, coinciding with new military operations launched by Israel. Aid organizations have described overwhelming devastation in Gaza, with many areas resembling war-torn locations from past conflicts.Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, remarked on the hopelessness pervading the region, describing the destruction and despair he witnessed during a recent visit. He noted that the heaviest toll is being borne by women and children in this grim context.Since Hamas' attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages, the ongoing military actions have escalated tensions and unique humanitarian challenges. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) defend their strategies as compliant with international law, the international community continues to express grave concerns over the disproportionate human cost of the conflict.
