A recently released report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) contends that an Israeli airstrike on a civilian apartment building on October 31, 2023, is a war crime. The attack, declared as “among the deadliest single incidents for civilians” since Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, led to the tragic loss of 106 civilian lives, inclusive of 54 children.
The investigation conducted by HRW was held between January and March 2024. It focused on the Engineers’ Building, a six-story apartment building, which housed civilians and a grocery store with electricity. Witnesses of the attack and family members of the deceased were interviewed for the investigation. The probe also included data from satellite imagery, 35 photographs, and 45 videos of the attack’s aftermath, along with other relevant evidence from social media. However, direct on-site investigation was not possible as Israel has denied the organisation’s entrance requests to Gaza for the past 16 years.
The report suggests the airstrike was unlawful, given that no evidence of military targets within the building could be found. It detailed how four munitions were dropped on the building without any warning given to civilians to evacuate. Eyewitnesses narrated that children were playing football outside when the attack happened and numerous people were utilizing the grocery store’s electricity to charge their phones.
Although Israel has refrained from offering any justification for the attack, the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains persistent in its inquiries into the alleged war crimes committed in Gaza and the West Bank from 2014 onward. HRW emphasizes the importance of this investigation and calls for global support towards the ICC to ensure “impartial justice.”
HRW’s report also calls for accountability across the board for all alleged war crimes and civilian deaths throughout the conflict in Gaza. The organisation points out the high number of casualties among Palestinian children and urges for meaningful steps towards preventing such harrowing events. One such measure proposed is the discontinuation of arms supply to Israel by other countries, thereby impeding their potential use in violation of laws of war. Countries, particularly the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Italy and Denmark, who continue to provide an unconditional supply of arms, are said to be “ignoring the mounting evidence of serious violations, including the strike on the Engineers’ Building.”
The full documentation of HRW’s report, its methodology, findings and calls for justice can be found in its original form.