Incidents in the Gaza War (2008–2009)

Last updated

Incidents in the Gaza War include incidents involving attacks against civilians, a school, a mosque, and naval confrontations.

Contents

United Nations facilities

A United Nations inquiry into attacks on UN personnel or facilities during the Gaza War concluded that Israel had fired on U.N. personnel or facilities on eight separate incidents. The Board found no evidence that U.N. facilities had been used to launch attacks against the IDF. However, the Board's findings conclude only that violation of the inviolability of U.N. premises had occurred; its report does not make legal findings and does not consider whether laws of armed conflict were breached, as acknowledged by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. [1]

The Israeli Government report notes that indeed the test applied by the UN Inquiry Board was merely whether the physical premises of U.N. facilities had been affected and not whether the Laws of Armed Conflict were violated. [2] The IDF conducted its own probe into claims regarding incidents where UN and international facilities were fired upon and damaged. The findings published argue that in all the cases investigated, the damage resulted either from retaliatory fire or from misuse of the UN vehicles by Hamas militants and that there were no deliberate intentions to hit UN facilities. [3]

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the United Nations would consult with Israel to improve their lines of communication to prevent future attacks on U.N. personnel and facilities. Ban plans to seek compensation from Israel for the damage to U.N. property, estimated at $11 million. Mirit Cohen, an Israeli spokeswoman, said that Israeli military inquiries proved beyond doubt that the IDF did not intentionally fire at any U.N. installations. The U.N. board of inquiry urged Israel to withdraw charges that Palestinians had fired from inside U.N.-run schools and U.N. relief offices. Israeli officials said they had already done so in their military inquiry. [1]

Al-Fakhura school attack, 6 January 2009

Al-Fakhura school attack, was an incident in which it was initially reported that Israeli forces had shelled a UNRWA school on January 6, 2009, and killed upwards of 30 people. [4] At the time, the incident drew widespread condemnation from around the world. Reports from The Globe and Mail [5] as well as Haaretz concluded that no one was killed inside the school in contradiction to a report from a separate branch of the UN. UNRWA responded that it had maintained from the day of attack "that the shelling and all of the fatalities took place outside and not inside the school." [6]

UNRWA Asma Elementary School, 5 January 2009

Following the investigation into the incident, the U.N. Board concluded that Israel intentionally struck a U.N.-run school, exhibiting a "reckless disregard for the lives and safety" of civilians; three civilians were killed. [1] The Israeli Government report claims that the UN Inquiry acknowledged that "information regarding the School functioning as a shelter for civilians was provided by the U.N. to IDF only on 6 January 2009, the day after the incident had occurred. A list of facilities serving as shelters — provided by the U.N. one day earlier on 4 January 2009 — did not include UNRWA Asma School". However, earlier that day, UNRWA apparently had opened the school as an emergency shelter, after it had been closed for nine days prior the incident. IDF's investigation of the incident revealed that on the night of 5 January, a unit of militants was present in Asma School site. Supposedly without being aware that civilians were present in the site, the IDF targeted the unit. [2]

UNRWA Field Office Compound, 15 January 2009

On January 15, the IDF shelled a storage facility within the compound of the UN headquarters for Gaza, containing tons of food and sheltering hundreds of Palestinian refugees. [7] According to United Nations personnel, unexploded ordnance analysis demonstrates that the compound was hit with 155m white phosphorus ammunition. [8] The facility did not have the equipment to extinguish the chemical fire and it spread towards several fuel tanks. [9] The UN asked the IDF for a local ceasefire in order to try to put out the fires, but the request was denied. [10] UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressed "strong protest and outrage". An Israeli Defence Spokesperson was quoted as saying "We regret that such an incident occurred, I am sorry for it however Hamas fired rockets and troops received fire coming from within the site." [11] The United Nations has dismissed the Israeli explanation as "total nonsense". [12] A senior UN official who was inside the building when it was attacked also denounced the Israeli statements as false and said that there were only non combatants in the building. [13] The report from Israeli Government quotes findings of the UN Board Inquiry into the incident: the Board "was not within its scope to assess general allegations or denials" regarding "possible military activity close to United Nations premises and possible military use of nearby buildings". The Israeli position on this incident is that the incident "took place during intense fighting, which involved Hamas’ deployment of anti-tank units equipped with advanced anti-tank missiles north of the UNRWA compound", which posed threat to IDF forces in the area. IDF implemented an effective smokescreen as a protective measure in response, anticipating only "limited risk to civilians in relation to this operational advantage". [2]

Civilians and civilian infrastructure

The IDF said civilian buildings in the Gaza Strip were destroyed during Operation Cast Lead due to "substantial operational needs" citing examples of buildings being booby-trapped, located over tunnels, or used by combatants to fire from. [14]

Civilians

In Israel

During the conflict, life in much of southern Israel was paralyzed by Hamas rocket and mortar fire. [15] According to HRW, during the Gaza War, rocket attacks placed up to 800,000 Israeli civilians within range of attack. [16]

During the war, rockets reached major Israeli cities Ashdod, Beersheba and Gedera for the first time, putting one-eighth of Israel's population in rocket range. [17] As of January 13, 2009, Palestinian militants had launched approximately 565 rockets and 200 mortars at Israel since the beginning of the conflict, according to Israeli security sources. [18]

Besides the rockets fired by the Qassam Brigades of Hamas, other factions claimed responsibility for rockets fired into Israel and attacks on Israeli soldiers, including Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (affiliated with Fatah), the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades (armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine), the Quds Brigades and the Popular Resistance Councils. [19] A Fatah official stated that the rocket attacks by his faction contradicted the official position of Mahmoud Abbas, Fatah leader and President of the Palestinian National Authority. Abbas had called on all sides to cease hostilities unconditionally.

Militants fired over 750 rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel during the conflict. [20] Bersheeba and Gedera were the furthest areas hit by rocket or mortars. [20] The rockets killed three civilians and one IDF soldier and wounded 182 people, with another 584 people suffering from shock and anxiety syndrome. [21] The rockets also caused property damage, including damage to three schools. [22] [23] [24] Senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar stated during the operation "they [Israeli forces] shelled everyone in Gaza.... They shelled children and hospitals and mosques, ... and in doing so, they gave us legitimacy to strike them in the same way." [25] Human Rights Watch noted in the open letter to Ismail Haniyeh that despite his Foreign Ministry stance as part of response to the Goldstone Report, Palestinian armed groups remain responsible for firing rockets indiscriminately or deliberately at Israeli civilian objects. HRW also noted that Palestinian militants put Palestinian civilians at risk of Israeli counter-attacks by launching rockets from populated areas. [16]

In the Gaza Strip

BBC News stated on January 14 that the agency and the Israeli human rights group B'tselem have received claims from Gaza civilians that IDF forces fired on Gaza residents trying to escape the area. Israel has strongly denied the allegations, and dismissed B'tselem's report as "without foundation". The BBC reported speaking to members of a family who say they were shot at as they tried to leave to replenish dwindling water and food supplies during the three-hour humanitarian lull. It also mentioned allegations of the targeted killing of women, the elderly, and children trying to flee the conflict. B'tselem has been unable to corroborate the testimonies it had received. [26]

On January 16, Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish, an Israeli-trained Palestinian doctor of Gaza, and regular figure on Israel's Channel 10 where he reported on the medical crisis, broke down when contacted for his nightly report by informing viewers that he had just lost three daughters and a niece in the fighting, prompting numerous calls of concern to the station from people who know him. Two surviving daughters were transported for treatment of their wounds to Tel Ha-Shomer Hospital in Tel Aviv. [27] [28] The Israeli army's investigation, approved by Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, stated that an IDF tank fired two shells at the house after suspicious figures were seen on the upper level of the doctor's home. [29] [30] The doctor has questioned part of the IDF report, saying his home is located in "Jebaliya, northeast of Gaza City, not in the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajaiyeh; there was no firing from his house; and he saw no pamphlets with Israeli warnings to evacuate that the military said it dropped." The Israeli army "could not be reached for an explanation (of the) discrepancies from their written statement." [31] [32] The British Army veteran Colonel Tim Collins visited the site of the incident. He said that from the spot the tank fired, no clear-cut target was visible. He added that the shot was questionable, but at the same time he understands how Israeli troops, situated at the inferior position, could have felt threatened in the middle of the battle. [33]

The use of Palestinian children as human shields by Israeli forces during the conflict has been reported. [34]

Israeli schools

Kindergarten classroom in Beersheba hit by Grad rocket from Gaza Beersheva kindergarten after rocket attack from Gaza.jpg
Kindergarten classroom in Beersheba hit by Grad rocket from Gaza

Palestinian rockets landed on Israeli educational facilities several times during the conflict. [35] [36] [37]

During the war, a Hamas rocket hit an Israeli kindergarten in Beersheba, causing damage to the building and to a nearby house. Dozens of people were treated for shock. In another case, a rocket landed in an Israeli elementary school in Beersheba, causing severe damage was caused to the structure. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. [38] [39] A Qassam rocket hit another school in Ashkelon, destroying classrooms and injuring two people. [40]

Studies officially resumed on January 11. Only schools with fortified classrooms and bomb shelters were allowed to bring students in, and IDF Home Front Command representatives were stationed in the schools; [41] [42] attendance was low. [43] [44] [45]

Medical facilities and personnel

The largest hospital on Israel's southern coast, Ashkelon's Barzilai Hospital, moved its critical treatment facilities into an underground shelter after a Gaza-fired rocket struck beside its helicopter pad on December 28. [46]

On January 4, 2009, Israeli planes hit the A-Raeiya Medical Center and its mobile clinics, without warning, causing damages of $800,000. The center, which served 100 patients a day, was clearly marked as a medical facility and was located in the middle of a residential area, with no government or military facilities are nearby. [47]

Several testimonies from local Gazan population and from IDF soldiers stated that Hamas operatives donned medic uniforms and commandeered ambulances for fighters transportation. [48] [49] [50] [51] After the Israeli airstrike on the central prison which resulted in prisoners being released into the streets, several of the 115 prisoners accused of collaboration with Israel who had not yet been tried, were executed by Hamas militants in civilian clothes in the Shifa hospital compound. [52] An IDF probe released on April 22, 2009, stated that an incident involving a UN vehicle attacked by the IDF occurred after the IDF identified a Palestinian anti-tank squad disembarking from the vehicle. [49] The Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry accused the Hamas-run government's security services of using several hospitals and clinics in Gaza as interrogation and detention centers, where medical staffers have been expelled, during and after the war. [53] The IDF probe made similar charges and stated that Hamas operated a command and control center inside Shifa Hospital in the Gaza City throughout the War. [54]

On January 11, Israeli forces "completely destroyed" a clinic run by Catholic relief group Caritas in al-Meghazi, also damaging 20 nearby homes in the attack. [55]

The following day, a mother and infant clinic run by Christian Aid and the Near East Council of Churches was destroyed by Israeli jets, [56] Patients and workers were given only fifteen minutes to evacuate, before the bombing. [57] Archbishop Barry Morgan demanded an explanation from the Israeli Ambassador to London regarding this attack on the Shij'ia Family Health Care Centre which served 10,836 families, solely dependent on the center for medical support. [58] According to the report of the Israeli Government published in July 2009, the operational goal of the strike was to destroy a Hamas storage site located in the same building. The report adds that "there was no sign indicating the presence of the clinic, and its location had not been reported or otherwise known to the IDF prior to the military operation against the weapons depot". [2]

The Aal Quds Hospital, in the densely populated Tal Hawa residential district, was hit by Israeli shell-fire on January 16. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies called the attack on the hospital "completely and utterly unacceptable based on every known standard of international humanitarian law". [59] An official in the Palestinian People's Party said that resistance fighters were firing from positions all around the hospital. [60] Corriere della Sera reporter wrote that the grounds, ambulances and uniforms of the al-Quds hospital had been hijacked by Hamas operatives. [61] On January 15, the IDF fired at a Red Crescent hospital holding 400–500 people at the Tel Hawwa neighborhood of Gaza City. [62] As claimed by Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry in Ramallah, both clinics were used by Hamas militants as interrogation and detention centers. [63]

Israeli forces also attacked and damaged Danish mobile health clinics, prompting the Danish Foreign Ministry to consider demanding compensation from Israel. [64] Muhammad Ramadan of the ICRC testified to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHP-I) that his ambulance, clearly marked with ICRC symbols was shot at by a tank despite coordination with the IDF. [47] Medics with the Palestine Red Crescent also claimed to have been deliberately fired upon by Israeli forces. [65] On January 11, a senior IDF officer accused Hamas gunmen of using Red Crescent ambulances to break the IDF battle line into northern Gaza from the south. [66] On January 12, a Palestinian doctor was killed by an Israeli helicopter while attempting to evacuate the wounded from a building hit by missiles in the Jabaliya refugee camp. [67]

The Israel-based Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center claims that, around the start of the conflict, the Hamas police force operations room in the northern Gaza moved into the Kamal Adwan hospital. [68] On December 31, 2008, Israel Security Agency head Yuval Diskin told the government cabinet that he believed that Hamas militants have taken shelter in various Gaza hospitals. [68] On January 11, a senior IDF officer accused Hamas gunmen of hiding inside Red Crescent ambulances in order to break the IDF battle line separating northern and southern Gaza. [66]

On January 12, Israeli Public Security Minister accused Hamas militants of hiding in Gaza's Shifa Hospital, using the rooms to "hold meetings," [69] and donning medics' uniforms. [69] UNRWA disputes the assertions, [69] and Shifa Hospital's Director accused the Israeli minister of lying in order to advance his political career, [70] though the hospital doesn't monitor who enters or exits the building. [70] On January 13, the PBS program "Wide Angle" reported that an anonymous doctor at Shifa stated that Hamas officials were hiding underneath the hospital building, [71] "putting civilians in harm’s way". [71] On January 14, Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Gabriela Shalev filed a formal complaint to the UN Secretary General, claiming the discovery of a war room under Shifa Hospital, [72] that Hamas used patients as human shields. [72]

It has, additionally, been reported that ambulance drivers tending to the wounded were targeted and in some cases killed by Israeli forces, despite having been wearing outfits clearly identifying them as medical personnel. [34]

Five supposed collaborators with Israel were killed at the compound of Shifa hospital by Hamas militants dressed in civilian clothes. [73] Several reports in mass media suggest that Hamas fighters used the ambulances to transport combatants. [61] [74]

Palestinian Authority's Health Ministry in Ramallah also accused Hamas of using hospitals and clinics in Gaza as interrogation and detention centers: "Hospitals … that were taken over include Al-Quds Hospital in Tal Al-Hawa, a Red Crescent initiative, parts of the Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the upper and lower floors of the An-Nasser Hospital, as well as the Psychiatric Hospital". [63]

Zeitoun killings

According to witnesses reports, on January 5, Israeli troops ordered about 110 Palestinians, mostly women and children (separately detaining the men), into a single building without running water or food in the Zeitoun district, only to shell the building 24 hours later. [75] The IDF stated that it had no knowledge of such attack, and argued that the claim is unreasonable since it claimed to have no forces present in that area on January 4. Israeli television claimed that Gaza hospitals had no knowledge of the attack. [76]

Initial reports suggested that anywhere between 11 (including 5 infants) and 70 were killed. [77] [78] Later reports stated that 30 people died in the attack. [79] The United Nations confirmed the witnesses' testimonies in a report published on January 9. [80] The report, by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the attack was "one of the gravest" in the conflict, [81] and called an investigation into the attack. [82] The report offered no evidence that the attack was deliberate, and Allegro Pacheco, a senior U.N. official in Jerusalem who helped draft the report on the attack for OCHA, added: "We are not making an accusation of deliberate action" by the Israelis.

According to an eyewitness account, while rounding up the Palestinians, Israeli soldiers shot dead two civilians, including a child. [83]

According to the Red Cross, ambulances were not given permission to enter the neighborhood to retrieve the injured from the building that day, but did so a day later. Three children had later died after they were transported to hospital. [84] After the attack, ambulances found four children clinging to their mothers' corpses for 48 hours, though Israeli soldiers were stationed nearby and did nothing to help. [85] United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, said "Incidents such as this must be investigated because they display elements of what could constitute war crimes.", [86] and called for "credible, independent and transparent" investigations into possible violations of humanitarian law. [87]

Reports of the attack were given to the media by a Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian doctor and political activist stationed in the Shifa Hospital, Gaza, on January 5, [88] and several newspapers reported that the survivors of the attack were treated at Shifa hospital. [89] [90]

As the 13th of January, the bodies of those killed in the attacks on 5 January has still not been recovered, despite the appeals to the Israeli army for access to the Al Samouni home. [91]

Researcher of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, colonel (res.) Halevi claims that an examination of freely accessible Palestinian sources show that at least three members of the al-Samouni family were affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad group; Tawfiq al-Samouni, who was killed on January 5, was supposedly a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative. Moreover, he suggests that the official Palestinian Islamic Jihad version of the occurrences on the day of the incident indicate that its fighters had been operating in the area against IDF. Based on the evidences, he suggests that it is plausible civilians were caught in the fighting. [92] [93] [94]

Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque

On January 3, 2009, the Israeli Defense Force attacked the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque in Beit Lahiya at dusk. Witnesses said over 200 Palestinians were praying inside at the time. [95] [96] Thirteen people, including six children, were killed, and 30 people were reported wounded. [96] [97]

Israel has accused Hamas of using mosques to hide weapons and ammunition. [96] [98] The IDF's Spokesperson Unit has published videos showing secondary explosions that occurred after destroying mosques, alleging that these were caused by the weapons and ammunition hidden in them. [99] [100]

Abd Rabbo family incident

On January 7, 2009, Israeli soldiers allegedly shot at members of the Abd Rabbo family who were trying to leave the house. The incident was detailed by several news agencies, human-rights organizations and the Goldstone report.

International civilian efforts to break the blockade on Gaza

The Arion

The Arion merchant vessel, which was headed to Gaza under a Greek Merchant Ensign in order to offer humanitarian aid as part of the Free Gaza movement, returned to Larnaca, Cyprus on January 15. According to the captain, the ship returned to Larnaca after an encounter with Israeli warships at a distance of 92 nautical miles from the Cape Greco off Cyprus in Famagusta Bay, which is in international waters. Three Israeli ships approached the Arion and warned it that if it will not change its course towards Gaza, and sail into Israeli waters, they will be forced to attack it. [101] Aboard the Arion there were twelve Greek nationals and activists aboard as well as journalists and doctors of other nationalities.[ citation needed ]

Greece had informed the Israeli government on its transfer of humanitarian aid days ago, but also warned the leaders of the expedition about the dangers of the expedition.

The Greek government informed the head of the initiative and all those participating fully and in a timely manner – before the vessel set off – pointing out to them the serious safety risks involved in their planned action, which entails passing through a closed military sea zone that has been designated by Israel in the crisis region.

At the same time, we have carried out and are carrying out all of the necessary diplomatic actions towards the Israeli side, underscoring the purely humanitarian nature of this effort and calling on the Israeli authorities to handle the situation with the requisite sensitivity and with particular caution so as not to jeopardize the safety of those who are on board the vessel Arion." [102]

The Dignity

On December 29, 2008, the Free Gaza Movement sailboat Dignity set sail from Cyprus, headed for Gaza, attempting to deliver 3.5 tonnes (3.9 short tons) of medical supplies to its residents. [103] [104] The boat, which was boarded by Caoimhe Butterly, Cynthia McKinney, journalists from Al Jazeera and CNN, [105] three surgeons including Dr. Elena Theoharous, [106] was forced to turn back after a confrontation with Israeli naval vessels. According to passengers and crew, their boat was approached after dark, in international waters [103] 90 miles off the coast of Gaza, [107] ordered to halt, and upon refusal fired upon and rammed, thus sustaining heavy damage. [105] [108] Israel responded that no shooting had occurred, [109] the sailboat was inside Israeli territorial waters, that it had failed to respond to Israeli naval radio contact, [107] crashed into an Israeli vessel and refused Israeli assistance. [110] [111] Not having enough fuel to return to Cyprus, the boat docked in Lebanon. [104] [110]

Cyprus lodged a formal complaint regarding the incident. [107] The Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast USA called McKinney "irresponsible", accusing her of a "provocation" that endangered many. [105] The Free Gaza movement is contemplating a suit against Israel for deliberately damaging the boat. [103] [107] [109] [110]

See also

Related Research Articles

In 2004, the Israeli Defense Forces launched Operation "Days of Penitence", otherwise known as Operation "Days of Repentance" in the northern Gaza Strip. The operation lasted between 29 September and 16 October 2004. About 130 Palestinians, and 1 Israeli were killed.

On June 9, 2006, an explosion on the beach near the Gaza Strip municipality of Beit Lahia killed eight Palestinians. At least thirty others were injured. The aftermath of the incident was captured on video and showed a distressed eleven-year-old girl, Huda Ghaliya, reacting to the loss of family members, most of whom were killed in the incident. The footage of Ghaliya, which received considerable media attention, was broadcast on news networks around the world, making her a symbol of Palestinian suffering. The German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung questioned the reliability of the video footage.

This page is a partial listing of incidents of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza–Israel conflict</span> Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

The Gaza–Israel conflict is a localized part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict beginning in 1948, when 200,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes, settling in the Gaza Strip as refugees. Since then, Israel has been involved in about 15 wars against the Gaza Strip. The number of Gazans reportedly killed in the ongoing 2023–2024 war (37,000) is higher than the death toll of all other wars of the Arab–Israeli conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaza War (2008–2009)</span> Armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip

The Gaza War, also known as the First Gaza War, Operation Cast Lead, or the Gaza Massacre, and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip Palestinian paramilitary groups and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that began on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire. The conflict resulted in 1,166–1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths. Over 46,000 homes were destroyed in Gaza, making more than 100,000 people homeless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Fakhura school shelling</span> 2009 Israeli bombing of a UN-operated school for refugees

The al-Fakhura school shelling was an Israeli military strike that took place during the Gaza War on 6 January 2009 near a United Nations-run school in the Jabalia Camp in the Gaza Strip. According to the UN and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), more than 40 people were killed. Israel reported the death toll as nine Hamas militants and three noncombatants with senior IDF officers stating that the death toll published by Hamas was "grossly exaggerated". Israel stated it fired on the school in response to militant gunfire believed to be coming from al-Fakhura. A UN inquiry said that there was no firing from within the school and there were no explosives within the school, but could not establish if militants fired from the vicinity of the school.

Timeline of the Gaza War. For events pertaining to the conflict which occurred before 27 December 2009, see Gaza War (2008–2009)#Background and 2007–2008 Israel–Gaza conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel</span>

Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The attacks, widely condemned for targeting civilians, have been described as terrorism by the United Nations, the European Union, and Israeli officials, and are defined as war crimes by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets to be illegal under international law. Palestinian militants say rocket attacks are a response to Israel's blockade of Gaza, but the Palestinian Authority has condemned them and says rocket attacks undermine peace.

Accusations of violations regarding international humanitarian law, which governs the actions by belligerents during an armed conflict, have been directed at both Israel and Hamas for their actions during the 2008–2009 Gaza War. The accusations covered violating laws governing distinction and proportionality by Israel, the indiscriminate firing of rockets at civilian locations and extrajudicial violence within the Gaza Strip by Hamas. As of September 2009, some 360 complaints had been filed by individuals and NGOs at the prosecutor's office in the Hague calling for investigations into alleged crimes committed by Israel during the Gaza War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Gaza War</span> Armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants

The 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge, and Battle of the Withered Grain, was a military operation launched by Israel on 8 July 2014 in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory that has been governed by Hamas since 2007. Following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank by Hamas-affiliated Palestinian militants, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation Brother's Keeper, in which it killed 10 Palestinians, injured 130 and imprisoned more than 600. Hamas reportedly did not retaliate but resumed rocket attacks on Israel more than two weeks later, following the killing of one of its militants by an Israeli airstrike on 29 June. This escalation triggered a seven-week-long conflict between the two sides, one of the deadliest outbreaks of open conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in decades. The combination of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes resulted in over two thousand deaths, the vast majority of which were Gazan Palestinians. This includes a total of six Israeli civilians who were killed as a result of the conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Shuja'iyya (2014)</span> Battle in the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict

The Battle of Shuja'iyya occurred between the Israel Defense Forces and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades on 20 July 2014 during 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, in the Gaza Strip. Shuja'iyya, with 92,000 people in 6 sq-kilometres, is one of the most densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, it had become a "terrorist fortress", that between 8 and 20 July had fired over 140 rockets into Israel after the outbreak of hostilities. Casualty figures are not known with precision, partly because bodies were recovered long after the fighting, and people had also died of injuries afterwards. The UN Protection Cluster states that between the 19-20th, 55 civilians, including 19 children and 14 women, were killed as a result of the IDF's actions. At the time, estimates varied from 66 to about 120 Palestinians killed, with a third of them women and children, and at least 288 wounded. The UN figures of Palestinian casualties are preliminary and subject to revision. 16 Israeli soldiers were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Israeli shelling of UNRWA Gaza shelters</span>

The 2014 Israeli shelling of UNRWA Gaza shelters were seven shellings at UNRWA facilities in the Gaza Strip which took place between 21 July and 3 August 2014 during the Israeli-Gaza conflict. The incidents were the result of artillery, mortar or aerial missile fire which struck on or near the UNRWA facilities being used as shelters for Palestinians, and as a result at least 44 civilians, including 10 UN staff, died. During the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, many Palestinians fled their homes after warnings by Israel or due to air strikes or fighting in the area. An estimated 290,000 people took shelter in UNRWA schools.

Hamas has been accused of using human shields in the Gaza Strip, purposely attempting to shield itself from Israeli attacks by storing weapons in civilian infrastructure, launching rockets from residential areas, and telling residents to ignore Israeli warnings to flee. Israel has accused Hamas of maintaining command and control bunkers and tunnel infrastructure below hospitals, with some of the accusations being supported by the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations Secretary General. Hamas has denied using civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, as human shields.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lynch, Colum (2009-05-06). "U.N. Inquiry Finds Israel Purposely Fired on School in Gaza". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ Macintyre, Donald; Sengupta, Kim (2009-01-07). "Massacre of innocents as UN school is shelled". The Independent . London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  4. ↑ "Globeandmail.com: Account of Israeli attack doesn't hold up to scrutiny". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009.
  5. ↑ "UN backtracks on claim that deadly IDF strike hit Gaza school - Haaretz - Israel News". Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  6. ↑ "Hamas leader killed in airstrike". Sky News. 2009-01-16. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  7. ↑ "Gaza Rapid Response Deployment – 23 Jan. 2009" (PDF). UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2009-01-23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  8. ↑ "Gaza pounded amid push for truce". BBC News. 2009-01-15. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  9. ↑ Butcher, Tim (2009-01-15). "UN building hit as Israeli tanks push into Gaza". London: The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  10. ↑ Frenkel, Sheera (2009-01-15). "UN headquarters in Gaza hit by Israeli white phosphorus shells". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  11. ↑ "UN food centers working in Gaza despite attack". Associated Press. 2008-01-16. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  12. ↑ Gaza doctor refutes casualties reported in Cast Lead op Archived 2009-04-18 at the Wayback Machine , Haaretz , 23 January 2009
  13. ↑ "Gaza homes destruction 'wanton'". BBC News. 2009-03-06. Archived from the original on 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  14. ↑ "Israeli forces bisect Gaza and surround biggest city – Middle East, World". The Independent. London. 2009-01-04. Archived from the original on 2010-06-11. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  15. 1 2 "Hamas: Investigate Attacks on Israeli Civilians | Human Rights Watch". Hrw.org. 2009-10-20. Archived from the original on 2015-02-08. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  16. ↑ Teibel, Amy; Deitch, Ian (January 13, 2009). "Despite Gaza toll, Israeli media focus on Israel". www.cleveland.com. Cleveland, Ohio: The Plain Dealer (newspaper). Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  17. ↑ Yair Yanga, "Shin Bet: Some 565 rockets, 200 mortar shells fired at Israel since start of Gaza op" Archived 2010-02-14 at the Wayback Machine , Ha'aretz 13-01-2009
  18. ↑ Bauer, Shane. "Palestinian factions united by war". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
  19. 1 2 "Terrorists fire 18 rockets at Israel". 2009-01-14. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  20. ↑ "Israel strikes back against Hamas terror infrastructure in Gaza". Israeli MFA. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  21. 1 2 ynetnews Rocket barrages hit Beersheba, Ashkelon; 5 lightly hurt Archived 2017-11-01 at the Wayback Machine , December 31, 2008
  22. ↑ Rockets reach Beersheba, cause damage Archived 2008-12-31 at the Wayback Machine , YNET, December 30, 2008.
  23. ↑ Rocket lands near Ashdod kindergarten; no injuries Archived 2017-11-01 at the Wayback Machine , YNET, January 11, 2009.
  24. ↑ "Israeli military surrounds Gaza City, officials say". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2010-03-24.
  25. ↑ Israelis "shot at fleeing Gazans". BBC News. Published 14 January 2009.
  26. ↑ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056198.html Archived 2009-02-20 at the Wayback Machine ‘Israeli-trained Gaza doctor loses three daughters and niece to IDF tank shell,’ Haaretz 17/01/2009
  27. ↑ Martin Fletcher and Sheera Frenkel, 'Gaza war 'in final act' as ceasefire looms', The Times, 17/01/2009 [ dead link ]
  28. ↑ "'Israeli tank fire 'killed doctor's daughters',' CNN 4/02/2009". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
  29. ↑ Greenberg, Hanan (4 February 2009). "IDF to doctor: Mistakes happen". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
  30. ↑ "Israeli tank fire 'killed doctor's daughters' - CNN.com". CNN. 2009-02-04. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  31. ↑ McCarthy, Rory (2009-02-06). "Netanyahu talks tough on Israeli settlements". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
  32. ↑ Celebrated Iraq war veteran's view of the Gaza conflict Archived 2017-10-23 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, January 20, 2010, 7:00-9:12 segment
  33. 1 2 Chassay, Clancy (2009-03-24). "Guardian investigation uncovers evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  34. ↑ IDF: Rocket that hit Beersheba school made in China Archived 2017-12-03 at the Wayback Machine . By Yael Barnovsky. Ynet News. Published December 31, 2008.
  35. ↑ Abe Selig, "School closure saves lives of pupils" Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine , Jerusalem Post 31-12-2009
  36. ↑ 4 troops hurt in mortar attack; Grad hits Ashkelon school Archived 2017-11-01 at the Wayback Machine . By Shmulik Hadad. Ynet News. Published January 8, 2009.
  37. ↑ Barnovsky, Yael (31 December 2008). "IDF: Rocket that hit Beersheba school made in China". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
  38. ↑ Curiel, Ilana (31 December 2008). "Rocket barrages hit Beersheba, Ashkelon; 5 lightly hurt". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 2017-11-01. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
  39. ↑ 'Improved’ Kassam slams into Ashkelon school Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine
  40. ↑ Some 2,700 Beersheba students to attend classes in bomb shelters Archived 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine , Jerusalem Post 10-01-2009
  41. ↑ "Ashkelon Empties, Trauma teams Struggle" Archived 2011-06-13 at the Wayback Machine , IRIN News (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs),13-01-2009
  42. ↑ "Ashkelon Empties, Trauma teams Struggle" Archived 2011-06-13 at the Wayback Machine , IRIN News (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs13-01-2009
  43. ↑ Some Israelis go back to school as rocket fire declines Archived 2009-01-22 at the Wayback Machine . By Dina Kraft. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Published January 13, 2009.
  44. ↑ Abe Selig, "Back to school for students in South" Jerusalem Post 12-01-2009
  45. ↑ Fear sends Israeli hospital underground. MSNBC.com. Published December 28, 2008.
  46. 1 2 "Gaza Strip: Israeli attacks and the right to health". International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO). 2009-01-09. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  47. ↑ "Maximum 600 Palestinians died in Gaza". Jerusalem Post. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01.
  48. 1 2 Katz, Yaakov (2009-04-22). "Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op". JPost. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  49. ↑ "Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war". SMH. 2009-01-29. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  50. ↑ Erlanger, Steven (2009-01-16). "Weighing Crimes and Ethics in the Fog of Urban Warfare". The NY Times. Archived from the original on 2018-11-27. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
  51. ↑ No Early End Seen to ‘All-Out War’ on Hamas in Gaza Archived 2017-02-12 at the Wayback Machine NY Times, December 29, 2008
  52. ↑ PA Health Ministry: Hamas using hospitals as detention centers Archived 2014-12-26 at the Wayback Machine . Ma'an, February 7, 2009
  53. ↑ 'Haniyeh hid in hospital during Gaza op' Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine , JPost, April 22, 2009
  54. ↑ Macintyre, Donald (January 13, 2009). "Gaza clinics destroyed by raids". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  55. ↑ Gaza clinic destroyed in strike Archived 2017-08-31 at the Wayback Machine . BBC News. Published January 13, 2009.
  56. ↑ "Israeli jets destroy Gaza baby clinic". inthenews.co.uk. 2009-01-13. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  57. ↑ Lyle, Jenna (January 15, 2009). "Archbishop: Attack on Gaza health clinic 'incomprehensible'". Christian Today. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  58. ↑ Sengupta, Kim (2009-01-16). "Outrage as Israel bombs UN". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
  59. ↑ "Hamas and Its Discontents, Newsweek". Newsweek . Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  60. 1 2 "Così i ragazzini di Hamas ci hanno utilizzato come bersagli". Archived from the original on 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  61. ↑ Waked, Ali (2009-01-15). "Gaza: IDF shells UN compound, hospital also hit". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  62. 1 2 "PA Health Ministry: Hamas using hospitals as detention centers". Archived from the original on 2014-12-26. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  63. ↑ "Denmark considers damages from Israel". 2009-01-13. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  64. ↑ "Stressed medics recount Gaza horrors". The New Zealand Herald. 2009-01-11. Retrieved 2009-01-13.[ dead link ]
  65. 1 2 Army creating 'security zone' in Gaza [ permanent dead link ]. The Jerusalem Post. Published January 11, 2009.
  66. ↑ Hass, Amira (January 14, 2009). "Palestinian doctor killed by IDF while treating Gaza wounded". Haaretz. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  67. 1 2 Hamas Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields Archived 2009-01-14 at the Wayback Machine . Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. Published January 2009.
  68. 1 2 3 Dichter: Hamas salaries paid at Shifa Hospital [ permanent dead link ]. The Jerusalem Post. Published January 12, 2009.
  69. 1 2 Gaza doctors slam 'crazy' Shin Bet charges that hospitals in Strip used as Hamas hideouts Archived 2016-01-26 at the Wayback Machine . By Daniel Edelson.
  70. 1 2 Hamas Hiding in Shifa Hospital? Archived 2012-11-11 at the Wayback Machine Wide Angle: PBS. January 13, 2009.
  71. 1 2 UN envoy: Hamas uses Gazans as human shields Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine . Ynet News
  72. ↑ Bronner, Ethan; El-Khodary, Taghreed (29 December 2008). "No Early End Seen to 'All-Out War' on Hamas in Gaza". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-02-12. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  73. ↑ "Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war". 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  74. ↑ Butcher, Tim (2009-01-09). "Gaza bombing witnesses describe horror of Israeli strike". Telegraph . London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2010-05-05. Jan 9, 2009.
  75. ↑ "UN: IDF shelled evacuated civilians". Ynetnews. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  76. ↑ Cowell, Alan (2009-01-10). "30 Confirmed Dead in Shelling of Gaza Family". New York Times . Retrieved 2010-05-05. Jan 9, 2009.
  77. ↑ Gaza medics describe horror of strike which killed 70 Archived 2010-04-29 at the Wayback Machine Telegraph Jan 9, 2009.
  78. ↑ Israel kills 30 civilians at shelter, witnesses tell U.N. Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine CNN Jan 9, 2009.
  79. ↑ 30 Confirmed Dead in Shelling of Gaza Family Archived 2018-01-15 at the Wayback Machine , New York Times, Jan 9 2009.
  80. ↑ War in Gaza: Israel accused of shelling house full of children Archived 2010-01-06 at the Wayback Machine The Times, Jan 9, 2009.
  81. ↑ Probe Israel for shelling Gaza site, U.N. says Survivors allege Israeli soldiers directed them to building that was later hit. MSBNC Jan 9, 2009.
  82. ↑ Butcher, Tim (2009-01-09). "Gaza bombing witnesses describe horror of Israeli strike". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  83. ↑ "Call for Zeitoun investigation". 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  84. ↑ Butcher, Tim (2009-01-09). "Israeli strike on civilian house may be 'war crime' says UN". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  85. ↑ Cowell, Alan (2009-01-10). "30 Confirmed Dead in Shelling of Gaza Family". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  86. ↑ UN levels war crimes warning at Israel Archived 2017-10-20 at the Wayback Machine , The Guardian, January 9, 2009.
  87. ↑ Familien hennes ble utslettet Archived 2011-05-24 at the Wayback Machine , by Olav Røli, Aftenposten, 5. January, 2009
  88. ↑ El-Khodary, Taghreed; Kershner, Isabel (2009-01-06). "Warnings Not Enough for Gaza Families". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2010-05-05. New York Times Jan 5, 2009.
  89. ↑ "Israel pushes deeper into Gaza, rebuffing truce efforts". Archived from the original on 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-01-17. International Herald Tribune. Jan 5, 2009.
  90. ↑ "The bodies of those killed in the Al Samouni house in Az Zaitoun on 5 January have still not been recovered, despite appeals to the Israeli army for access to the home." – "Field Update On Gaza From The Humanitarian Coordinator – January 13, 2009, 1700 hours" (PDF). UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2009-01-13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  91. ↑ Analysis: Blocking the truth behind the Gaza war Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , JPost, September 22, 2009
  92. ↑ Blocking the Truth of the Gaza War Archived 2012-02-23 at the Wayback Machine , JCPA, September 18, 2009
  93. ↑ Goldstone: ‘If This Was a Court Of Law, There Would Have Been Nothing Proven.’ Archived 2012-01-12 at the Wayback Machine , The Forward, October 16, 2009
  94. ↑ Weaver, Matthew (2009-01-03). "Israel fires artillery shells into Gaza". The Guardian . London. Archived from the original on 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  95. 1 2 3 Israeli troops enter Gaza Strip Archived 2017-10-04 at the Wayback Machine BBC News . 2009-01-03
  96. ↑ Six children among 12 killed in mosque blast Archived 2017-09-12 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian . 2009-01-04.
  97. ↑ "Gaza: Hamas gunmen hide in hospitals". YNET. 2008-12-31. Archived from the original on 2009-01-01.
  98. ↑ "Weapons Hidden in Mosque Neutralized by Israel Air Force - YouTube". YouTube . 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  99. ↑ "YouTube - Weapons in Gaza Mosque Struck by Israel Air Force 1 Jan. 2009". YouTube . January 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  100. ↑ Επιστρέφει στην Κύπρο το πλοίο "Αρίων" Ta Nea Archived 2009-02-14 at the Wayback Machine , 15/1/2009 (in Greek)
  101. ↑ Foreign Ministry Spokesman’s reply to a question regarding the approach of the vessel Arion to the Gaza Strip Archived 2010-07-03 at the Wayback Machine , 15/1/2009
  102. 1 2 3 "Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on protest boat off Gaza shore". Haaretz/Reuters. 2008-12-30. Archived from the original on 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  103. 1 2 "Gaza aid boat 'rammed by Israel'". BBC. 2008-12-30. Archived from the original on 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  104. 1 2 3 "Gaza relief boat damaged in encounter with Israeli vessel - CNN.com". cnn.com. 2008-12-30. Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  105. ↑ "Passengers List (Dignity has left Cyprus)". Free Gaza Movement. 2008-12-29. Archived from the original on 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  106. 1 2 3 4 Tran, Mark (2008-12-30). "Israel accused of ramming Gaza aid ship". The Guardian . London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  107. ↑ Fisher-Ilan, Allyn (2008-12-30). "Gaza aid boat damaged by Israelis reaches Lebanon". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2009-01-17.
  108. 1 2 Fisher-Ilan, Allyn (2008-12-30). "Israeli naval ship clashes with Gaza aid boat". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  109. 1 2 3 "Gaza protest boat sails into Lebanon". International Herald Tribune/Associated Press. 2008-12-30. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  110. ↑ YNET Navy orders aid boat to Gaza to retreat Archived 2018-11-07 at the Wayback Machine , December 30, 2008
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.