• UN report suggests Israel may have violated laws of war
• The report examines six “emblematic attacks” on residential buildings, a school, refugee camps, and a market between October 9 and December 2 2023
• At least 218 people were killed in these incidents and noted the destruction of civilian objects
• Israel’s mission in Geneva has rejected the UN’s findings

Israeli strikes on Gaza may have violated laws of war – UN report

The UN Human Rights Office says Israeli air strikes in Gaza may have systematically violated laws designed to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. This conclusion stems from a detailed report examining six “emblematic attacks” on residential buildings, a school, refugee camps, and a market between October 9 and December 2 2023. The report says that at least 218 people were killed in these incidents and noted the destruction of civilian objects.

Israel’s mission in Geneva has rejected the UN’s findings, describing them as “factually, legally, and methodologically flawed.” The Israeli government maintains that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operated in Gaza in accordance with international law and accused Hamas of unlawfully embedding itself among civilians, thereby complicating military operations.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, more than 37,390 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began. While the ministry’s figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it reported that by the end of April, 14,680 of the dead were children, women, and elderly individuals. 

Key facts from the report

The report published by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on Wednesday examined six strikes where it said Israel might have violated fundamental principles of the laws of war.

The strikes allegedly involved the use of 2,000lb (907kg), 1,000lb (453kg), and 250lb (110kg) air-dropped munitions, known respectively as GBU-31, GBU-32 and GBU-39s.

• Jabalia market, 9 October 2023 – Explosions destroyed two buildings. The UN said it verified at least 42 people were killed, including 14 children, and received information about an additional 18 deaths. The IDF said it struck several military targets, including an underground “terror tunnel” and Hamas fighters.
• Taj3 Tower, Gaza City, 25 October – The seven-floor residential building and six nearby structures were destroyed. The UN verified at least 105 people were killed, among them 47 children. Another seven fatalities were reported. The IDF said strikes that day hit “several unique and high value Hamas military assets and infrastructure”.
• Jabalia camp, 31 October – Ten structures in the densely-populated refugee camp were destroyed. The UN verified at least 56 people were killed, including 23 children, and received reports of another 43 fatalities. The IDF said the strike killed the commander of a Hamas battalion and a “large number of terrorists” hiding in tunnels.
• Bureij camp, 2 November – At least 12 buildings in the refugee camp were destroyed. The UN verified 15 people were killed, including nine children, and received information about an additional seven fatalities. The IDF said it struck “several Hamas infrastructures”.
• Al-Buraq school, Gaza City, 10 November – A two-storey section of the school was destroyed. At least 34 people were reported killed. The IDF said it struck a Hamas company commander hiding there, other operatives and military infrastructure.
• Shujaiya neighbourhood, Gaza City, 2 December – Fifteen buildings were destroyed. The UN received reports that 60 people were killed. The IDF said the strike killed a Hamas battalion commander, other fighters and military infrastructure.