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Israeli Annihilation of Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza
In a statement released today, coinciding with World Humanitarian Day, which falls on August 19 each year, Mwatana for Human Rights reported that since October 7, Israeli forces have systematically targeted humanitarian operations in Gaza, resulting in the deliberate and unjustified killing of at least 270 humanitarian workers. These attacks have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and hindered efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population. The use of starvation as a weapon of war starkly reflects a blatant disregard for human rights and laws that prohibit attacks on humanitarian facilities.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as detailed in their latest report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, "Since October 2023, at least 270 humanitarian workers in Gaza have been killed, including 192 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), four other United Nations employees, at least 42 other humanitarian workers, and 32 staff and volunteers of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, 19 of whom were on duty at the time."
A statement from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) emphasized that "the tightened Israeli blockade on Gaza has sharply restricted the entry of vital supplies into the Strip. At the same time, providing assistance within Gaza is nearly impossible due to Israel's complete disregard for the protection and safety of medical and humanitarian missions and their personnel, preventing access to life-saving aid. This situation renders humanitarian response in Gaza nothing more than an illusion."
Lisa McNairn, the project coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières in Gaza, remarked, "The stark absence of humanitarian space and lack of supplies we’re witnessing in Gaza is truly horrific. If people are not killed by bombs, they are suffering from food and water deprivation and dying from a lack of medical care."
On April 1, 2024, Israeli forces targeted a convoy belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in an airstrike, killing seven of its workers. The founder of WCK, José Andrés, commented on the Israeli forces' clear awareness of the humanitarian nature of the team during the attack, saying, "This was more than 1.5, 1.8 kilometers away, with a highly specific humanitarian convoy marked with large banners on top, on the roof, with a very colorful logo that we are very proud of. It was very clear who we are and what we do."
He added, "They targeted us in a de-escalation zone, in an area controlled by the Israeli Defense Forces. They knew our teams were moving along this route... with three vehicles." Andrés concluded by saying, "This seems like this war is against humanity itself, and they will never win this war because humanity will prevail in the end."
On June 30, 2024, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) issued an official statement titled "Stop Israel's Violent Campaign Against Us," which stated: "Our agency has verified the deaths of at least 193 of our staff members in Gaza. Additionally, nearly 190 UNRWA buildings have been damaged or destroyed. UNRWA schools have been demolished, and at least 500 displaced persons were killed while sheltering in UNRWA schools and other buildings. Since October 7, Israeli forces have arrested UNRWA staff in Gaza, who reported being tortured and mistreated during their detention in Gaza or Israel." The statement further noted, "UNRWA is not the only UN agency under threat. Vehicles belonging to the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) came under fire in April, in what appeared to be accidental incidents, despite coordination with Israeli authorities."
The statement added, "Israeli officials are not only endangering our staff and mission but are also delegitimizing UNRWA by labeling it as a terrorist organization that fosters extremism, and by branding UN leaders as terrorists complicit with Hamas. By doing so, they are setting a dangerous precedent for the repeated targeting of UN staff and facilities. The international community's silence in the face of Israeli violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories serves as a tacit endorsement, paving the way for impunity and chaos. If this tolerance for such attacks continues, we will be unable to uphold humanitarian principles in any other conflicts around the world. The ongoing violations against humanitarian work will further weaken peacebuilding tools and diminish the capacity to defend against inhumane acts globally. This must not become the new normal."
The UN Security Council had previously adopted Resolution 2730, which called for the protection of humanitarian workers. The resolution urged respect for and protection of humanitarian workers, UN staff, and associated personnel, including local staff. It also requested the UN Secretary-General to provide a prompt report to the Council in the event of widespread issues concerning the safety and security of humanitarian workers, UN staff, associated personnel, and their buildings and assets.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Civil Defense announced in a press conference on Sunday, August 17, 2024, that 82 of its personnel had been killed and over 720 others injured by Israeli fire since the war on the Gaza Strip began on October 7 of the previous year. The statement revealed that its headquarters in Gaza Strip had been completely destroyed, subjected to direct bombing, and partially damaged, with its vehicles being targeted by artillery fire, bombed, and set on fire by Israeli forces, in a manner that clearly indicates Israel's deliberate intent to hinder humanitarian interventions and operations."
Abdulrasheed Al-Faqih, Vice Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, emphasized that "Israel's continued targeting of humanitarian work in Gaza, despite United Nations Security Council resolutions and International Court of Justice rulings requiring measures to ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, underscores Israel's ongoing strategy of provoking the international community's moral conscience and demonstrates its ruthless determination to humiliate the entire humanitarian community. This shows Israel's blatant disregard for international decisions or global humanitarian outrage."
Al-Faqih added, "It seems that the United Nations' mechanisms for dealing with Israel are becoming increasingly ineffective, failing to elicit any meaningful response. This necessitates the establishment of more stringent accountability mechanisms."
Mwatana for Human Rights calls on the international community to establish independent investigative committees to verify alleged violations, document attacks on humanitarian facilities, and take legal action against grave breaches of international law to halt Israeli violations and protect humanitarian work in Gaza. Mwatana underscores the urgent need for the international community to take serious action to stop these violations, safeguard humanitarian operations, and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
