Earlier this week, Amnesty International (AI) disclosed new evidence of what they term ‘unlawful’ Israeli attacks in Gaza. As the Israeli forces continue what the human rights organization has labeled as a flouting of international humanitarian law, AI has signaled a “real risk of genocide,” citing the obliteration of entire families.
The evidence under discussion is a report focusing specifically on four strikes that transpired between December 2023 and January 2024 in Rafah, a southern governorate of Gaza. These attacks resulted in the loss of 95 civilians, including 42 children. Amnesty International’s report indicates that none of these targeted buildings were legitimate military objectives as per their investigation, which included the analysis of satellite imagery and onsite investigations.
Despite being located in what was considered a ‘safe’ area, the strikes targeted civilian residences, with no discernible response from the Israeli authorities regarding the allegations.
The narrative offered by the report describes the chaos experienced by families and presents survivor testimonies to emphasize the agonizing outcomes of these attacks. Among the highlighted incidents is the one involving the Harb family, where an Israeli strike directly targeted their homes, resulting in the deaths of 25 civilians, including 10 children. Survivors relate traumatizing experiences of being trapped under rubble for prolonged periods, and many have sustained severe injuries.
The evidence presented by AI feeds into their series of reports purporting that the Israeli military is violating international humanitarian law. Previous week, this was complemented by UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ expression of concern for the safety of Palestinian refugees in Rafah after Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed plans for military action in the area.
These revelations come within the larger context of a siege on Gaza that accentuates resource deprivation. This includes significant shortages of food and water and a heightened risk of famine. Immigration into Rafah has spiked due to consecutive waves of displacement, further straining local resources and hampering aid efforts. Despite sporadic ceasefires, the situation continues to be volatile and cause concern for global humanitarian organisations.