The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) strongly condemns the ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza, culminating in the shelling of an UNRWA school in Jabaliya yesterday, which had served as a shelter for many civilians who sought to escape the fighting. Prior to the attack, UNRWA had informed the IDF about the school and its location.
In recent days, dozens and dozens of civilians were killed in military attacks, including many children and entire families who clearly had nothing to do with the warfare. A situation in which even shelters in Gaza are shelled is intolerable, leaving civilians without any safety – not in their homes nor in emergency shelters provided by the UN. Even if the IDF has information about the presence of armed militants in these locations, this does not turn the civilians into a legitimate target.
The large number of casualties among civilians raises serious suspicion of gross violation by the IDF of the laws of war; a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the killing and injury of so many civilians in Gaza must be conducted.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel calls for an immediate cessation to the targeting of civilians!
