UN condemns Israeli attacks in Gaza, after raft of strikes on Oct. 7 terrorists

The United Nations’ human rights office on Tuesday condemned Israeli strikes in Gaza, which it said had killed at least 57 people, including six children, in the past week. Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated that nine months after a ceasefire was announced, Palestinians in Gaza remain vulnerable, with the Israeli military intensifying attacks that have resulted in numerous casualties. According to Kheetan, the strikes occurred between July 13 and 20, targeting both combatants and civilians, with 34 of the victims killed outside the Israeli-imposed yellow line, which separates IDF-controlled territory from areas under de facto Hamas control. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently launched several strikes in the Gaza Strip aimed at Hamas and Islamic Jihad members linked to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the current conflict. These strikes reportedly targeted a weapons depot, an arms manufacturing site, and a rocket-launching position, all of which were deemed threats to Israeli troops. In addition, the IDF claimed that some attacks hit residential buildings and shelters used by internally displaced persons, raising concerns about civilian casualties. During the period of July 17 and 18, the UN rights office identified at least 21 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes. One particularly tragic incident involved an apartment in Gaza City where five family members were killed, including both parents and three children aged eight, 15, and 17. Kheetan emphasized that such incidents raise serious questions about potential violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes and other atrocity crimes. He noted that intentionally attacking civilians constitutes a war crime under international law. While the specific strikes referenced by Kheetan were not fully clarified, the Israeli military stated that on July 17, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad sniper and a Hamas operations division member were killed. On July 18, strikes reportedly targeted weapons depots and two Hamas terrorists, including a commander who participated in the October 7 attack and was responsible for hostage-taking. Israel has been increasing its efforts to eliminate individuals connected to the October 7 massacre and its aftermath, asserting that it adheres strictly to the laws of war and denies allegations of targeting civilians. Despite these claims, Israel acknowledges that noncombatants may occasionally be killed unintentionally, noting that Hamas often operates from civilian areas. A tweet from Asher Press confirmed that the Israeli Air Force and intelligence agency Shin Bet killed Adham Ibrahim Sha'aban Nasman, a Hamas Gaza City Brigade operations chief, in weekend strikes. Nasman was implicated in planning the October 7 raids, holding hostages, and rebuilding Hamas’s capabilities. Kheetan further criticized the ongoing movement of the Yellow Line westward by Israel, which has progressively reduced the space available to Palestinians in Gaza. Initially established through a U.S.-brokered truce, the line has shifted as Hamas has refused to disarm. This territorial encroachment, Kheetan argued, poses a persistent danger to civilians, as the IDF frequently fires upon Palestinians merely for being near the line, violating international human rights standards. As tensions continue, the situation in Gaza remains volatile, with conflicting narratives from both sides. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, while local populations endure the consequences of escalating hostilities. The next steps will likely involve continued diplomatic efforts and assessments of compliance with international law by all parties involved.