The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has condemned Israel for showing “apparent indifference” to civilian lives in Gaza. His comments followed a report by his agency, which revealed that nearly 70 percent of verified deaths in Gaza’s conflict involved women and children.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published its findings on Friday. According to the report, out of over 34,500 people reportedly killed in Gaza during the first six months of the war, 8,119 deaths were verified. Among these casualties, a significant portion were women and children. The youngest victim was just a day old, highlighting the tragic toll on the youngest members of society.
Volker Turk: “Wanton Disregard” for War Rules
Volker Turk criticized Israel’s conduct, describing it as a “wanton disregard” for the “rules of war.” He emphasized that international laws are meant to limit suffering, even in armed conflict, urging Israel to respect its obligations. The report further highlighted Israel’s siege on northern Gaza and its recent decision to end ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Potential Crimes Against Humanity
The OHCHR report warned that the large-scale civilian targeting could constitute “crimes against humanity.” It noted that, if there was intent to “destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group,” these acts could also be considered genocidal. The report backed Palestinian claims that a majority of those killed were women and children, revealing that 44 percent of the victims were minors.
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Reported Ages of Child Victims
The report detailed the ages of children killed, with the highest number of deaths among those aged five to nine. The next largest group was aged 10 to 14, followed by children aged four and below. The oldest victim identified in the report was a 97-year-old woman, showing that the conflict’s casualties span all age groups.
Large-Scale Attacks in Densely Populated Areas
In 88 percent of the verified cases, five or more individuals died in single attacks, suggesting the extensive use of powerful weapons in densely populated areas. The report also noted that some deaths may have resulted from misfired projectiles launched by Palestinian armed groups.
Blocked Humanitarian Aid and Infrastructure Destruction
The OHCHR criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid and destroying civilian infrastructure. It stated that these actions have led to widespread suffering, causing “unprecedented levels of death, injury, starvation, illness, and disease.” The Israeli government’s blockade has also caused mass displacement of Gaza residents, leaving many without essential services.
Israel Rejects UN Report Findings
Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva rejected the report’s findings, accusing the UN of using “unverified information.” Despite the diplomatic pushback, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported at least 43,469 Palestinian deaths and 102,561 injuries since October 7, 2023, underscoring the staggering human cost of the conflict.
International Calls for Accountability
The report has intensified global calls for accountability, with human rights advocates urging both Israel and the international community to protect civilians in the ongoing conflict.
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