Bombing of Hamas members, killing their families
“There is no guilt by association under international law… It is not a target of legal attack.”
As calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip war grow stronger both inside and outside Israel, concerns have been raised that Palestinian families are being exterminated during Israel’s operation to eradicate Hamas.
On the 17th (local time), the New York Times (NYT) highlighted a Palestinian family in which more than 100 members were killed in an Israeli military attack.
Nasser al-Astal lost his spouse, two sons, and four daughters when his house collapsed in an Israeli airstrike. Her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother and their families also died. His first grandson also died, and his second grandson, who was in his womb, left without ever seeing the light of day.
In a phone interview with NYT, Nasser said, “I cry alone every night when I look at family photos on my phone. But men hide their tears, so I try to cry alone, away from people.”
Nasser lost 88 of his relatives in less than three weeks after the outbreak of the Gaza war. By the end of the month, more than 100 people had died.
Gaza residents are denouncing that their families are being wiped out in the process of Israel attacking Hamas members. One of Nasser’s family members was also known to have participated in Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
Gaza health authorities announced that 6,747 Palestinians died in the first 19 days of the war. Of these, 72 were from Hasanas, 65 were from Al-Nazar, 60 were from Al-Masris, and 49 were from Al-Khurd.
NYT said, “These numbers clearly show the scale of the loss in Gaza,” and “the family tree has been split, and all its branches have disappeared.”
Among the 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip, it is estimated that there are approximately 20,000 to 40,000 Hamas members, and according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll is close to 20,000.
The United States, Israel’s largest ally, is also concerned about the rapid increase in civilian deaths and is demanding that civilian damage be minimized. It is reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is visiting Israel on the 18th, plans to urge Israel to make efforts to reduce civilian casualties.
Janina Dill, a professor at Oxford University who studies the laws of war, points out that even if Hamas uses civilians as human shields, civilians are entitled to full protection under international law as long as they do not directly participate in combat.
Professor Dill criticized, “Under international law, the guilt by association does not exist,” and “even if the family sympathized with Hamas and made a statement supporting it, no one can be a legitimate target of attack.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.