A UN Human Rights Office report has revealed that nearly 70% of the 8,119 fatalities in Gaza between November 2023 and April 2024 were women and children.
Published Friday, the report highlighted the age group most impacted was 5-9 years old. Around 80% of casualties occurred in residential areas, linked to Israel’s use of wide-impact weapons in dense urban zones.
The findings point to potential breaches of international law, possibly amounting to war crimes. The International Court of Justice stressed Israel’s obligations to prevent genocide and punish violations.
Volker Türk, head of the UN Human Rights Office, called for strict adherence to the laws of war to limit civilian suffering. While noting some casualties stemmed from errant Palestinian projectiles, the report condemned all disregard for international norms.
The violence surged on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack, prompting Israel’s forceful retaliation. The UN continues to call for civilian protection and a resolution to escalating humanitarian issues.
