HRW: Israel illegally attacks Gaza Schulshelter with US ammunition

HRW: Israel illegally attacks Gaza Schulshelter with US ammunition

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Israeli army "illegally and arbitrarily" used American ammunition to attack school accommodation in Gaza, which has asked hundreds of lives. The report entitled "Gaza: Israeli air strikes in schools increase the risk of civilians" was published on Thursday. Since the attacks on October 7, 2023 led by Hamas, the majority of 2.1 million people in Gaza have become homeless, as many are forced to leave their neighborhoods and look for civil infrastructures.

Attacks in schools and civilian institutions

Israel has repeatedly emphasized that his attacks on school buildings in Gaza are aimed at wrapped Hamas fighters. However, HRW has only found seven cases in which the military published details about allegedly killed militants and highlighted two air raids in which almost 50 people were killed without a military goal. Such attacks represent a violation of international law, since schools and other educational institutions are subject to civil objects and thus protection against attacks, unless they are used for military purposes or occupied by armed forces. However, the use of schools to accept civilians does not change their legal status.

Demand for a weapon embargo

HRW asked the United States and other governments to hire the sale of weapons to Israel, since there is a "clear risk" that these weapons could be used to inspect or facilitate "serious violations" against humanitarian international law. The organization reported that the support of Washington for Israel makes the United States “accomplished” with regard to the lawful use of these weapons.

Reports about civil suffering

Gerry Simpson, senior employee at HRW, said in the report: "The Israeli attacks on schools where displaced families are looking for refuge give an insight into the widespread slaughter that the Israeli forces have caused in Gaza." Simpson added: "Other governments should not tolerate this hideous massacre of Palestinians who are only looking for security."

The view of the Israeli defense forces

The Israeli defense forces (IDF) said they operated "exclusively from military necessities and in strict agreement with international law". They pointed out that the report "roughly overlooks" the fact that Hamas systematically places her military assets under and in the immediate vicinity of densely populated civil areas and use the civil infrastructure for terrorist purposes. The IDF further explained that it was well documented that Hamas uses schools and unrwa institutions for military activities, including the establishment of military networks within schools.

The effects on the civilian population

Accordingly, Israeli attacks on school accommodation in Gaza cost at least 836 Palestinians and injured a further 2,527 people, according to HRW on July 18, referring to the office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) of the United Nations. HRW examined two such attacks, as part of which was used. The organization checked satellite images, photos and videos of the attacks as well as social media and interviews with eyewitnesses.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The allegations correspond to repeated warnings of human rights organizations that Israel's 22-month bombing and siege have made large parts of the Gaza Strip uninhabitable. HRW stated that attacks on school accommodation reduces access to refugees, exacerbated the challenges of reconstruction and education among a pre-war population of more than 2.2 million people, half of whom is under 18. At least 97% of the schools in Gaza have suffered damage, reported the education cluster led by Unicef.

Outlook and future in Gaza

The UN announced that the reconstruction work in Gaza could continue until 2040. The destruction is so comprehensive that external help is needed as it has not been seen since 1948. By Wednesday, at least 61,158 Palestinians died in Gaza, while at least 193 people, including 96 children, died of hunger. A Palestinian student explained CNN that the days at the university were replaced by a brutal struggle for survival, which is characterized by repeated displacement and acute hunger. "The war came and destroyed everything," said Raghad Ezzat Hamouda, 20, and added: "Gaza has become uninhabitable. There are no houses, no schools, no universities, no infrastructure ... just ash."