Prime Minister Netanyahu often claims that the IDF is the most moral army in the world. This claim is evaluated using a list of 15 breaches of International Law by the IDF in Gaza since October 7, 2023
1. Indiscriminate Airstrikes: Bombing densely populated areas in Gaza without distinguishing between combatants and civilians violates the principle of distinction under the Geneva Conventions.
2. Mass Evacuation Orders: Forcing 1.1 million people in northern Gaza to evacuate within 24 hours constitutes forced displacement and may be classified as a war crime.
3. Collective Punishment: Enforcing a total siege on Gaza, cutting off food, water, electricity, and fuel, is collective punishment prohibited under international law.
4. Strikes on Medical Facilities: Repeated bombings of hospitals and clinics violate protections for medical infrastructure under international humanitarian law.
5. Killing Humanitarian Workers: Dozens of humanitarian workers have been killed, undermining protections granted to such personnel under the Geneva Conventions.
6. Targeting Refugee Camps: Bombing refugee camps, including the Jabalia camp, has led to significant civilian casualties, contravening protections for civilians in armed conflicts.
7. Destruction of UN Shelters: Strikes on UN schools and shelters hosting civilians violate the neutrality and protection of such facilities.
8. Blocking Humanitarian Aid: Restricting humanitarian supplies into Gaza breaches obligations under international law to allow unimpeded access to aid.
9. Use of White Phosphorus: Allegations of using white phosphorus, a banned weapon in civilian areas, raise serious legal concerns.
10. Siege as a War Tactic: Cutting off essential resources to Gaza, causing extreme hardship for civilians, breaches prohibitions on starvation as a method of warfare.
11. Destruction of Civilian Infrastructure: Targeting essential services such as water, electricity, and transportation is disproportionate and violates International Humanitarian Law.
12. Obstructing Evacuations: Preventing civilians from safely leaving conflict zones or providing inadequate evacuation corridors breaches international protections.
13. Targeting Journalists: Killing journalists and destroying media facilities contravenes protections for freedom of the press during conflicts.
14. Violence Against Minors: Detaining and killing children during the conflict violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
15. Indiscriminate Shelling: Using explosive weapons in densely populated urban areas violates the principle of proportionality and causes unnecessary suffering.
In conclusion, given these 15 breaches of International Law does the IDF qualify to be referred to as the most moral army in the world?
You be the judge.
* Adiel Ismail, Mountview.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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