Date: October 25, 2023
Time: 13:00 local time
Original Language: Arabic
Press Release
Continued Israeli Aggression on Gaza Reflects Utmost Disregard for Civilian Lives and Collective Retributive Punishment
The International Commission to Support Palestinians Rights (Hashd) for the nineteenth consecutive day is committing a genocide crime against the people of Gaza. This is happening alongside the continued failure of the international community to restrain the occupier, who receives unprecedented support from the United States and some European countries.
The International Commission “Hashd” has documented 6,546 martyrs, including 2,704 children, 1,584 women, 346 elderly, 22 journalists, 73 paramedics and medical teams, and 37 UNRWA employees. Furthermore, 17,439 citizens have been injured, with 70% of them being children and women. The number of missing persons has risen to 1,600, buried beneath the rubble of their homes destroyed without prior notice. Over a million and a half forcibly displaced people are staying in UNRWA schools, government schools, churches, mosques, hospitals, and with relatives, while thousands are living on the streets in dire humanitarian conditions, amidst a severe shortage of water, food, and electricity.
The International Commission “Hashd” states that the deliberate targeting of hospitals through airstrikes and the threat to evacuate 23 hospitals, along with the blockage of fuel, has led to the collapse of healthcare services, putting the lives of 7,000 injured and sick individuals at risk. Urgent action is needed to evacuate the wounded, send field hospitals and life-saving equipment, and provide doctors and fuel to save the lives of the victims of this aggression.
The International Commission “Hashd” emphasizes that the bombardment of civilian homes, residential neighborhoods, shelter centres, mosques, bakeries, and even historical churches in Gaza, along with the targeting of Al-Muadami Hospital, clearly indicates an Israeli intent to annihilate the Palestinians in Gaza. This has resulted in 688 massacres against families, leading to the martyrdom of 4,807 people, with estimates suggesting that a significant number remain buried under the rubble of their homes.
The destruction and damage to half of the residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Gaza illustrate that Israel’s goal is to turn Gaza into an uninhabitable area, as a form of revenge and collective punishment.
The International Commission “Hashd” condemns the continued power cuts, water shortages, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and fuel from entering Gaza. This is happening alongside the ongoing killing and destruction, turning Gaza into a disaster zone, facing catastrophic humanitarian crises. These actions are not only crimes against humanity but also demonstrate Israel’s disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.
The International Commission “Hashd” calls for the international community to take serious actions to end the long-standing Israeli military occupation of all Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. This occupation is a primary cause of the war crimes, acts of genocide, and collective punishments systematically committed in Gaza and throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. It also obstructs the Palestinian people’s right to establish their state and determine their destiny, as guaranteed by United Nations resolutions, international conventions, and human rights treaties.
The International Commission “Hashd” calls on the United Nations and third-party parties who are signatories to the Geneva Conventions to intervene immediately to halt the unprecedented deterioration in human rights conditions in Gaza and to pressure Israel to cease its aggression. Additionally, it calls for international protection for civilians, especially children, women, journalists, medical teams, and the elderly, and demands the end of targeting civilian infrastructure while adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law.
The International Commission to Support Palestinians Rights (Hashd)
