The United Nations human rights office has raised a serious alarm regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, revealing that women and children make up an alarming 70% of civilian deaths in the ongoing conflict. The UN highlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began following Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, while accusing both parties of breaching international law that could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide.
In its latest report, the UN human rights office provided a chilling overview of the conflict’s effects on civilians. It described how the residents of Gaza have endured relentless bombardments, particularly emphasizing the consequences of the initial full siege that has severely restricted the flow of essential humanitarian aid. The destruction of critical infrastructure has resulted in widespread and repeated displacements as the population grapples with diminishing resources.
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
UN officials highlighted increasing violations, with the report documenting significant damage to civilian infrastructure, limited humanitarian access, and the profound psychological impact on Gaza’s residents. “This report highlights the grim reality faced by those in Gaza, as they endure constant bombings and a severely restricted supply of basic aid,” the UN statement noted.
Allegations of Potential War Crimes
The UN’s assessment indicates that the scale and intensity of the actions, coupled with limited humanitarian corridors, could fulfill the criteria for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Legal experts within the UN caution that ongoing restrictions, along with high civilian casualties, necessitate urgent international attention and accountability.
Calls for Global Intervention
Human rights advocates and UN officials are now calling on world leaders to take action to avert further humanitarian disaster and to ensure adherence to international law.
