War Crimes
A war crime is an infringement of the rules of international humanitarian law, which were established following the horrors of World War II. These violations include the intentional and unjustified destruction of communities, excessive devastation that exceeds military need, and the inhumane treatment, torture, or killing of civilians under occupation. War crimes are among the most serious offenses under international law and are so severe that there is no statute of limitations for prosecuting offenders.
There have been ongoing allegations of war crimes against Israel, ranging from accusations of ethnic cleansing in 1948 to claims of excessive destruction in Gaza in more recent times. The United Nations has repeatedly criticised these alleged actions. Despite these condemnations, there are claims that Israel continues to act without facing consequences.
In this section we highlight some specific examples of such crimes, underscoring their devastating humanitarian consequences:
Starvation of Civilians:
Deliberate starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. This involves cutting off food supplies or destroying food sources. It leads to health crises, increased mortality, and long-term socio-economic challenges and ultimately death.
Starving child: A little child waits his turn to get some food that was being distributed by a charity organisation for displaced people in Rafah
Children scrambling to get food: Palestinian children desperate to get food due to the scarcity and blockade of humanitarian aid
A child’s account on the availability of food: A child’s account of the scarcity of food – “we only eat a quarter or half a bread in the day”
Children collecting flour: Children collecting destroyed food supplies to salvage every bit of flour
Cutting off Power and Water
Intentionally cutting off power and water supplies to civilian areas is recognised as a war crime. These acts disrupt essential services like healthcare, sanitation, and communication. Such disruptions cripple critical infrastructure, leading to widespread medical emergencies and public health crises.
Al-Shifa Hospital loses power: The moment Al-Shaifa hospital lost all power
Hospital situation: An account of the situation in Gaza’s hospitals
Doctors perform Surgery without electricity: Surgeons conducting life saving operations without light and adequate medical supplies
100’s of people waiting for clean water: Scenes in Gaza showing hundreds of people waiting to collect safe, clean water
Blocking Access to Medicines and Sanitation
Preventing access to essential medicines and sanitation facilities in conflict zones is a war crime, affecting the health and survival of civilian populations. Here are the accounts of doctors inside Gaza’s hospitals:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-67644334
Destruction of hospitals, Schools and Places of worship
The intentional destruction of hospitals, schools, and places of worship during conflicts constitutes a war crime. Such targets are protected under international humanitarian law.
Hospital destroyed: The devastation caused by the occupation forces in the hospital of Kamal Odwan, north of Gaza
Church destroyed: An Israeli air strike bombed a church in Gaza city – a funeral held for the those who got caught in the strike
Mosque destroyed: CCTV capture footage of the moment this mosque was destroyed by an Israeli air strike