Human Rights Watch – Gaza / The Israeli strike that killed 106 civilians is a war crime

It is obvious that it is about war crime the Israeli airstrike on six-story apartment building which hosts hundreds of people in its center Gaza at 31 October 2023, Human Rights Watch said today.

The attack, which killed at least 106 civiliansamong which 54 childrenis one of the most civilian fatalities since the Israeli government’s bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Human Rights Watch found no evidence of a military target in the area of ​​the building at the time of the Israeli attack, making the strike unlawfully indiscriminate. Israeli authorities have not provided no justification for the attack.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has declared that the October 31, 2023, “illegal” Israeli airstrike that killed 106 persons in a residential structure in central Gaza constituted a “apparent war crime.” pic.twitter.com/68u7K0eqeM

— Sardarwali Said (@SaidSardarwali) April 4, 2024

For its investigations, which took place from January to March, HRW says it spoke by phone with 16 peoplehe mainly analyzed satellite images, 35 photos and 45 videos.

Human Rights Watch says an ‘unlawful’ Israeli air attack that killed 106 people in a residential building in central Gaza on October 31, 2023, was an ‘apparent war crime’ pic.twitter.com/6qYPmRO1pV

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 4, 2024

According to testimonies, the October 31st, at least 350 people they were inside the building, south of her refugee camp Nuseirat (in central Gaza)and at least 150 among them they had taken refuge there, after leaving their homes from other parts of it Gaza Stripreports the NGO.

“Without warning, at around 2.30pm, four air (strikes) hit the building within 10 seconds. The building was completely demolished”he adds.

NEW: An Israeli airstrike on an apartment building sheltering people in Gaza on Oct. 31, 2023, is an apparent war crime.

This strike inflicted massive civilian casualties with no apparent military target – one of many attacks causing overwhelming carnage. pic.twitter.com/cT3Nl7Vf4s

— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) April 4, 2024

None of the witnesses interviewed stated that they had received or heard of any warning from the Israeli authorities calling on them to evacuate the area before the attack, according to the same source.

🔴 UPDATE #Israel #Palestine

Human Rights Watch said that Israel unlawfully attacked a residential building in Gaza on 31 October 2023, without any apparent military target, killing 106 civilians including 54 children.

More here ⤵️https://t.co/2d58y4AjI8

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 4, 2024

The human rights organization clarifies that it had not been possible to go to the site, as the Israeli authorities have not allowed it access for the last 16 years.

🔴 UPDATE #Israel #Palestine

Human Rights Watch said that Israel unlawfully attacked a residential building in Gaza on 31 October 2023, without any apparent military target, killing 106 civilians including 54 children.

More here ⤵️https://t.co/2d58y4AjI8

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 4, 2024

“Israeli strike that killed 106 civilians was apparently a war crime,” estimates HRW pointing out that “the law of war prohibits targeted attacks civilians and they make no (distinction) between civilians and fighters”.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.