UN Report Highlights High Civilian Casualties in Gaza Conflict

The United Nations Human Rights Office has released a report detailing the significant civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to the report, nearly 70% of the fatalities verified by the UN in the first seven months of the Israel–Hamas conflict were women and children. This finding underscores what the UN describes as a “systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction and proportionality”.

The UN verified 8,119 victims during this period, although Palestinian health authorities report a much higher toll of over 43,000 fatalities for the full 13 months of conflict. The report highlights that children represented 44% of the victims, with the youngest verified victim being a 1-day-old boy and the oldest a 97-year-old woman. The age and gender breakdown of the victims reflects the demographics of the Gaza Strip and suggests a failure to take adequate precautions to avoid civilian losses.

Recent military operations have continued to escalate the situation. Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people since dawn on November 8, according to medical sources. These raids are part of ongoing military operations, including an IDF operation in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip targeting potential terrorists and terror infrastructure.

In response to the humanitarian crisis, Israel has informed the United States that it plans to open a new aid crossing into Gaza at Kissufim in the coming days. This move is seen as a step to address the urgent need for aid as the November 13 aid deadline approaches.

The conflict, which began after a significant attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has led to widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has emphasized the need for a due reckoning regarding the allegations of serious violations of international law and for the collection and preservation of relevant information and evidence.