UN Commission Accuses Israel of Deliberate Attacks on Gaza's Healthcare System

Monday 14 October 2024 - 09:50

A United Nations commission has released a damning report accusing Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) of deliberately targeting Gaza's healthcare infrastructure. The report, issued on October 10, alleges that these actions form part of a broader policy of "collective punishment" against Palestinians.

The independent inquiry, led by South African jurist Navi Pillay, asserts that the IOF has systematically attacked medical facilities in Gaza since October 2023. The commission, which includes experts from India and Australia, characterizes these strikes as "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity."

According to the report, the destruction of critical medical infrastructure, including maternity and intensive care units at Al-Shifa and Turkish hospitals, has severely compromised Gaza's already fragile healthcare system. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports that only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals remain operational, with medical teams working under extreme duress.

The UN commission challenges Israel's justification for these attacks, stating it found "no credible evidence" to support claims that militants were using hospitals as shields. The report emphasizes that the targeting of medical facilities and personnel appears to be "part of a calculated effort to undermine Gaza's physical and social fabric."

While the report primarily focuses on IOF actions, it also condemns Palestinian armed groups for violations of international law, particularly during intense conflicts near Al-Shifa hospital in March 2024.

Israel has dismissed the report as "one-sided," accusing the commission of exacerbating divisions. This marks the second major report from the UN Human Rights Council's inquiry, which was initiated in 2021, since the escalation of violence in October 2023.

The findings paint a grim picture of a healthcare system in crisis after more than a year of conflict. As international attention on the region persists, this report is likely to fuel further debate on the conduct of military operations in densely populated areas and the protection of civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts.