One often hears that Hamas’ deliberate targeting of civilians cannot be compared to Israel’s unintended killing of them but if this were true, how to explain for the high proportion of deaths, injuries and catastrophic damages in Gaza vs. Israel?
Nonetheless:
#1:
We unequivocally condemn Hamas for firing rockets that hit a school in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, in 2014. Fortunately, the school was empty at the time of the attack. Nevertheless, it is a violation of international humanitarian law.
Meanwhile since 2004, at least 263 schools in Gaza (possibly more) have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in both damages and casualties.
#2:
Hamas should also be condemned for firing rockets that hit hospitals and medical facilities in Israel. In 2014, Hamas militants fired rockets at Soroka Medical Center, a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. In 2021, Hamas fired rockets at Barzilai Medical Center, a hospital in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. In both instances, the attacks caused damage to the hospital, but no injuries were reported.
Meanwhile between 2000 and 2015, there have been at least 80+ reported attacks on health facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including 34 incidents of damage to hospitals and 29 incidents of damage to primary healthcare centers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
During the 2014, conflict, several hospitals and medical facilities were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in damage and casualties including for example, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah and the Al-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital in Gaza City, both damaged by Israeli airstrikes.
It is important to note that under international humanitarian law, attacks against civilian objects such as hospitals and medical facilities are prohibited, unless they are being used for military purposes, but the burden of proof is on Israel to prove these hospitals were being used by militant groups for military purposes. In any case therefore, hospitals and medical facilities are considered protected civilian objects under international law, and attacks against them are considered war crimes.
#3:
Hamas should also be condemned for firing rockets that hit Israeli power stations and water treatment plants in Israel. In 2014, the Eshkol power station was hit causing damage and power outages in the area. In 2021 the Ashkelon desalination plant, was attacked. In both instances, there were minor damages to the plant, but no injuries were reported.
Meanwhile since 2000, there have been several instances where power stations and water treatment plants in Gaza and the West Bank have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes and other forms of attack. These attacks have had a significant impact on the availability of electricity and clean water in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In fact, during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, the Gaza power plant was damaged by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in a significant reduction in electricity supply to the Gaza Strip. In addition, several water treatment plants and sewage facilities were also targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in damage and contamination of water sources. Again, power stations and water treatment plants are considered protected civilian objects under international law, and attacks against them are considered war crimes.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that “almost every piece of critical infrastructure, from electricity to water to sewage, has been seriously compromised by either direct hits from Israeli air strikes and shelling or collateral damage. Amnesty International said the crippling of the power station amounted to “collective punishment of Palestinians“. Human Rights Watch has stated that “damaging or destroying a power plant, even if it also served a military purpose, would be an unlawful disproportionate attack under the laws of war“.
Lastly:
#4:
Hamas should also condemned for firing rockets at the Ben Gurion International Airport, located near Tel Aviv, in 2021. The airport had to temporarily close and several airlines had to suspend flights. In another example, Hamas fired rockets at a highway in southern Israel, causing damage to the road and nearby vehicles. Fortunately, no civilians were killed or injured in both instances.
Along the same vein – Since 2000, numerous bridges and countless roads in the Occupied Palestinian Territories let alone Gaza have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, artillery fire, and other forms of attack. These attacks have had a significant impact on the infrastructure and economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In fact:
During 2006’s Operation Summer Rains & Autumn Clouds, Israeli air strikes were launched on Gaza’ Power Plants, Electricity Networks, Waste Water Treatment Plant, and three Bridges. Amnesty International called it a war crime.
In 2008, Operation Cast Lead (a.k.a Gaza Massacre) damaged 10 Water or Sewage Lines, 34 Health Facilities & Israel was widely condemned for its unlawful use of White Phosphorus (chemical weapons).
2012’s Operation Pillar of Defense/Cloud included Israeli bombings among others, of a Water Tower, 12 Water Wells and Agricultural Land.
Meanwhile, following 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that “almost every piece of critical infrastructure, from electricity to water to sewage, has been seriously compromised by either direct hits from Israeli air strikes and shelling or collateral damage. Amnesty International said the crippling of the power station amounted to “collective punishment of Palestinians“. Human Rights Watch has stated that “damaging or destroying a power plant, even if it also served a military purpose, would be an unlawful disproportionate attack under the laws of war“.
As for 2021’s Operation Guardians of the Wall, the partial list of infrastructure damage include at least 18 medical facilities (including 6 hospitals and 11 clinics) destroyed by the disproportional Israeli bombardment. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), 1,042 housing and commercial units, spread over 258 buildings, were destroyed by Israel. 769 further units suffered severe damage while at least 53 schools were damaged.The media offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera as well as 60 condominiums, was destroyed on 15 May, prompting a global outcry.