As the civilian death toll in Gaza continues to skyrocket, reaching nearly 17,000 since October 7 and with more than 46,000 injured, one of the most heartbreaking reports to come out of the war zone is the use of excessively heavy weaponry by Israel. On October 7, a Hamas attack killed two Israeli soldiers, which prompted retaliation from Israel with a shower of air raids, artillery fire, and tank shells on Gaza which have continued for more than a month.
The barrage of firepower has been devastating to the civilian population, leaving countless homes destroyed, devastating infrastructure, and tragically, families who have lost their loved ones in the relentless bombardment. The casualties are overwhelmingly those of innocent civilians—a fact corroborated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which has reported that three-quarters of the Palestinian dead are civilians, and that “over 430,000 people in Gaza, including almost 250,000 children, have been displaced as a result of the conflict”.
The use of such a heavy show of force has been widely condemned by many human rights organizations, who have argued that Israel’s actions have far exceeded those which can be legally justified. The United Nations Human Rights Council has called for an investigation into the conflict, while Amnesty International has criticized the indiscriminate use of force, noting that “the failure to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians” amounts to a violation of international law.
However, it is the civilians of Gaza who are suffering the most from the relentless bombardment. An overwhelming majority of those killed in the conflict were innocent civilians, and the use of such heavy weaponry by Israel has further exacerbated the suffering of those already struggling to survive in the impoverished region. This has been further compounded by the lack of basic necessities such as water, medical supplies, and electricity, leading to further suffering and despair.
The human cost of this conflict has been unimaginable. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict and the thousands of lives lost, the suffering of the Gazan population continues to mount as the region remains in a state of emergency.
Although the situation in Gaza is often seen as a conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, it is important to remember that the victims of this conflict are mostly civilians. The indiscriminate use of heavy weaponry by Israel—and its refusal to take adequate measures to protect civilian lives—must be condemned and addressed urgently. The international community must also take action to ensure the cessation of hostilities, and the protection of the human rights of the people of Gaza.
It is the duty of the international community to ensure that the innocent civilians of Gaza are not further victimized by the conflict, and that adequate assistance and protection is provided to them in order to ensure their safe return to their homes. We must also ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the mass casualties in Gaza are held accountable. Only by doing so can we move closer towards a peaceful and lasting solution for the people of Gaza.
