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Twenty-five people were killed when Israeli forces bombed a southern Gaza residence. Attacks spread to a refugee camp in the north, and one of the last remaining hospitals left open was raided. As Palestinian casualties approach 20,000 and almost half a million refugees face chronic malnourishment and disease outside their homes, international reaction has become shrill even among Israel’s allies. Some recent incidents at a church compound and school in Gaza as well the shuttering of yet another hospital, have raised again concerns for civilians ‘protection. Moreover, a report of prisoners dying in custody has brought further scrutiny on Israel’s conduct during the war.
As the military campaign enters its 11th week, US isolation in upfront support becomes more pronounced. A new Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease fire is being considered to prevent the risk of a negative US vote. Traditional allies of Israel, including the UK and Germany, have also now called for a “sustainable ceasefire.” The British Foreign Secretary has said that in dealing with Hamas Britain is calling on all parties to show more precise and targeted approaches.
Israel’s rules of engagement have grown into a catchall for concern. With the military recently admitting in an official report that three hostages it shot were unarmed and raising white flags, there is wide agreement on both sides of the fence that Israel should be rethinking its assault tactics. Shooting down these unarmed people who have sought to surrender has focused attention on the lack of respect for non-combatants in hunting Hamas. UK Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell was especially concerned by reports he heard from the Holy Family parish in Gaza City, where relatives of Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran took refuge.
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A report by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said that Israeli snipers shot two women dead “in cold blood” as they tried to walk across a courtyard through which ran food supplies destined for an UNRWA refugee camp, on their way to use a toilet at the church compound where they were sheltering. A tank shell destroyed the compound’s generator that powered respirators for disabled persons. In early December, Israeli troops had also massacred refugees at a school nearby. UN officials expressed outrage at the state of Gaza’s healthcare, in which hospitals have no supplies and now even patients injured by Israeli airstrikes are being shot dead on ambulances. Gaza’s health ministry said that 19,667 had been killed and over 52,000 injured.
Over 80 % of the casualties in this war are women, children and civilians. The United Nations depends on casualty figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which is considered reliable by the UN. Some 1.9 million out of Gaza’s population of 2.4 million have been displaced or otherwise driven from their homes and communities, it is estimated. Israel blames some civilian casualties on Hamas, which it accuses of placing military facilities in civilian buildings and using Palestinians as human shields.
The attacks began when Hamas fighters entered Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking about 25 hostages. The conflict continues as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to “destroy” Hamas in the face of international criticism. It was also reported that hundreds of Palestinians held at an Israeli detention center suspected of terrorism have faced extremely rough conditions, with some deaths having been investigated by the Israel Defense Forces.
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