ICSPR: On Day 436, the Israeli Occupation Continues Crimes of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Starvation, and Targeting Workers in Service Sectors, Deepening the Humanitarian Catastrophe
Date: December 15, 2024
Press Release
ICSPR: On Day 436, the Israeli Occupation Continues Crimes of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Starvation, and Targeting Workers in Service Sectors, Deepening the Humanitarian Catastrophe
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s targeting of the Deir Al-Balah Municipality building in central Gaza, which was sheltering dozens of displaced individuals. This attack resulted in the martyrdom of the municipality’s mayor, Engineer Diab Al-Jarou, along with 10 staff members and civilians, in what constitutes a war crime deliberately targeting workers in humanitarian and service sectors. This heinous act exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe.
During the ongoing genocidal war, the Israeli occupation has killed four municipal mayors in the central governorate alone: Mayor Marwan Hamad of Al-Zahra, Mayor Hatem Al-Ghamri of Al-Maghazi, Mayor Iyad Al-Maghazi of Al-Nuseirat, and Mayor Diab Al-Jarou of Deir Al-Balah. These attacks, alongside the killing of dozens of municipal workers and the destruction of municipal headquarters, aim to obstruct essential services for the 800,000 forcibly displaced residents in Deir Al-Balah, compounding the crisis, especially during the winter.
ICSPR denounces the international community’s silence regarding the ongoing genocide against Palestinian families in Gaza, now in its 436th day. Israeli forces continue massacres against civilians, with the death toll reaching 45,000 martyrs recorded at hospitals, most of whom are women and children. An additional 106,624 people have been injured, with thousands still missing under the rubble. Around 8,500 citizens have been detained and held in unknown locations. The occupation has forcibly displaced 95% of Gaza’s population and destroyed 86% of civilian structures, homes, and infrastructure.
The Israeli occupation has waged a brutal military campaign in northern Gaza for 72 consecutive days, committing over 119 massacres against civilians and families out of 9,905 massacres during the genocidal war. Most of these atrocities involved airstrikes on homes and shelters without prior warning. The latest attack targeted the home of the Saadallah family in Jabalia Al-Nazla, killing four members of the family. Since the siege and ground offensive in northern Gaza began, the death toll has risen to over 4,500 martyrs, with 12,000 injured.
Amid global preoccupation with regional events and talks of a potential ceasefire, the occupation escalates its systematic war crimes, including extrajudicial killings, arrests, and forced displacement of the remaining 20,000 residents in northern Gaza, following the forced displacement of 200,000 to Gaza City and southern areas. Northern Gaza residents face imminent death by bombardment, starvation, disease, or forced displacement.
The Israeli occupation continues its systematic geographic transformation in northern Gaza, destroying homes, shelters, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. Recent images from northern Gaza show near-total destruction in Jabalia Camp, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.
The Israeli forces deliberately target schools and shelters, destroying them over their occupants. This morning, the Khalil Awida School in Beit Hanoun, which housed hundreds of displaced individuals, was bombed, killing 15 civilians and injuring others. The forces then stormed the school, arresting men and forcibly displacing women and children. Yesterday, December 14, 2024, the Al-Majdah Waseela School near Palestine Square in Gaza City was bombed, resulting in seven deaths, including children. The Holy Family School in western Gaza City was also targeted, increasing the number of destroyed schools and shelters to 232 since the aggression began.
ICSPR strongly condemns the deliberate targeting of journalists, medical personnel, and civil defense teams while performing their humanitarian duties. The latest victim, Dr. Saeed Mahmoud Joudeh, was directly targeted by a drone while heading to Al-Awda Hospital to treat patients. This raises the death toll of medical staff to 1,057 martyrs. With the martyrdom of journalists Mohammed Baloosha and Mohammed Al-Qurainawi, the death toll among journalists has risen to 195. Meanwhile, 89 civil defense workers have also been killed.
For 436 days, Gaza’s residents have endured collective punishment, leaving catastrophic impacts on civilian lives. They struggle for basic necessities like water, food, and medicine amidst electricity cuts, severe water shortages, and acute malnutrition due to the obstruction of humanitarian aid and essential supplies. Medical and rescue operations are paralyzed by the blockade, portending a complete collapse of humanitarian services.
ICSPR asserts that the continuation of Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people for the second consecutive year is a direct result of U.S. support, international inaction, and failure to take necessary measures to stop the ongoing aggression, genocide, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
ICSPR calls on the international community and organizations to fulfill their responsibilities and urgently intervene to protect civilians, especially journalists, medical workers, and service sector staff in northern Gaza. Immediate action is needed to prevent further displacement and devastation in northern Gaza.
ICSPR urges free nations, states, and international organizations to intensify pressure to halt the genocide, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, and provide essential medical and winter supplies to address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
End.
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR)
