GAZA STRIP, GAZA – JUNE 06: A view of destruction inside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) school sheltering thousands of people, in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip, Gaza on June 06, 2024. It was reported that death toll from Israeli airstrike on UNRWA school in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, rises to 39. Ali Jadallah / AnadoluNo Use USA No use UK No use Canada No use France No use Japan No use Italy No use Australia No use Spain No use Belgium No use Korea No use South Africa No use Hong Kong No use New Zealand No use Turkey

Briefing report: Israel imposes catastrophic conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza with the aim of their “physical destruction” according to the definition of genocide

In Arab Countries, International Advocacy Program, uncategorized T by CIHRS

Briefing report: Israel imposes catastrophic conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza with the aim of their “physical destruction” according to the definition of genocide

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GAZA STRIP, GAZA – JUNE 06: A view of destruction inside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) school sheltering thousands of people, in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip, Gaza on June 06, 2024. It was reported that death toll from Israeli airstrike on UNRWA school in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, rises to 39. Ali Jadallah © Anadolu via Reuters Connect

18/06/2024

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) issued a briefing report today on the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, ongoing since 7 October 2023. In line with the elements of the crime of genocide, the report details how Israel has deliberately imposed conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza that inevitably lead to their “physical destruction”.

The report, titled "I didn’t know if the baby was alive or dead”  relies on testimonies from 13 women and men in Gaza, as well as evidence provided by academics and independent UN experts, which the International Court of Justice found as sufficient to order Israel to take provisional measures to prevent genocide. The report also relies on previous case law to indicate that Israel may have the "intent to destroy" the Palestinian people and that the atrocities it has committed to this end may constitute key elements of the crime of genocide.

The briefing report concluded there is extensive direct and circumstantial evidence that Israel's attacks may effectively destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These attacks have resulted in massive casualties (36,284 killed and 82,057 injured as of 31 May), in addition to a disastrous level of destruction inflicted on essential civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and shelters (over 60% of buildings destroyed). The report also focused on the deliberate obstruction of access to vital services (such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, fuel, and healthcare) and essential humanitarian aid (including food, medicine, and hygiene supplies) needed for survival and the use of starvation as a method of warfare. By early April 2024, 32 people, including 28 children, died of hunger while 1.1 million people in Gaza are expected to reach catastrophic levels of food insecurity by July 2024. These Israeli atrocities confirm what Israeli officials have previously declared in official statements, that dehumanize Palestinians and have described them as “human animals”, and threatened to “wipe Gaza” from the surface of the earth.

Food aid is very low and very rare. When we do receive food aid, it is around 1 egg for every 3 persons, or one can of beans for the whole family. When we first arrived at this shelter, we received food aid every week. It’s now been perhaps three months since we last received food aid

Israel’s relentless attacks over the past eight months have displaced more than 75% of the population in Gaza. While international courts have not considered that forced displacement in itself constitutes genocide, Israel’s repeated orders for Gazans to evacuate specific areas—without providing them sufficient time, safe passage, or secure refuge—combined with deliberate attacks on Palestinians during their displacement or in their "safe" areas (at least seven refugee camps were attacked in May 2024 alone), can also be interpreted as part of Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.

The streets were really scary. There were dead bodies around us and people screaming ‘[They] are targeting everyone! Go back!’ We got scared and went back [home] but hours later, we had to leave again because they started attacking with phosphorus. Anywhere we went, the land behind me was getting hit with phosphor. I saw lit-up bombs falling, black smoke turning white.
Plausibility of genocide being committed in Gaza cannot be ignored when Israel is perpetrating deliberate criminal attacks coupled with the dehumanization of Palestinians as evidenced by Israeli officials' statements. According to the Genocide Convention, this crime consists of several acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a particular group, including by deliberately subjecting it to living conditions calculated to bring about its physical destruction. This is exactly what is happening now in Gaza.
Amna Guellali, Director of Research at CIHRS.

In its research, CIHRS prioritized interviews with women who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth after 7 October, to gain a deeper insight of the genocide unfolding. The women all confirmed being unable to access prenatal medical care, see a doctor, or conduct the necessary check-ups throughout their pregnancy after 7 October. The hospitals where they gave birth lacked anesthetics or painkillers, and were also subjected to bombing.

I will give birth in days, and I have no plan, I don't even know what to do. They say there is a hospital, but how do I get there? Will there be an ambulance? There are no cars, no hospitals nearby. There are no doctors, no anesthesia, no painkillers.

The report highlights the responsibility of Israel's allies, whether through complicity or through support by providing Israel with the political, financial, and military aid that enables it to continue committing acts that may amount to genocide. CIHRS also condemned the failure of Arab states to denounce and hold Israel accountable and present an effective plan to establish and maintain a ceasefire.

An immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza that ensures the urgent and sufficient delivery of effective humanitarian aid is required. The international community must pressure Israel to comply with the ICJ provisional measures and the UN Security Council resolutions, as well as halt arms trade and political and military support to Israel. CIHRS emphasizes that accountability must be a key priority in addressing the serious international crimes committed by all parties since 7 October, including Hamas and other Palestinian factions for the hostage-taking and subsequent actions, and including Israel for the crimes that it continues to commit in Gaza since then. To ensure accountability and justice, full access to the Gaza Strip and other affected areas must be provided to independent international investigatory mechanisms.

I didn't know if the baby was alive or dead

How Israel is inflicting conditions of life to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza.

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