Did Israel Commit War Crimes in Operation Protective Edge?
Israel's long history of atrocities over the past seven decades has often been marked by severe human rights abuses. However, let's focus on a specific and well-documented incident during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which brought renewed attention to Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law. This episode, including the bombing of the Al-Shifa Hospital, showcases the critical role of holding accountable those who repeatedly violate these laws.
The Al-Shifa Hospital Incident: Not An Isolated Incident
On July 2, 2014, the world witnessed an event that shocked the conscience: the kidnapping, torture, and burning alive of a Palestinian child named Mohammed Bou Khoudair. This incident occurred amid a broader context of arrests following the release of some Israeli prisoners in the Shalit deal. Soon after, a series of demonstrations erupted in Jerusalem and across the Palestinian territories.
On July 7, 2014, in response to these protests, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge. The operation was characterized by an unprecedented number of air strikes and artillery shelling, which killed 1462 Palestinian civilians, including 11 United Nations workers and over 1000 children. In addition to the horrific loss of life, the military campaign caused extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, rendering many hospitals and medical facilities unusable.
The Attack on Al-Shifa Hospital: A Violation of International Humanitarian Law
One of the most egregious incidents during Operation Protective Edge was the bombing of the Al-Shifa Hospital on July 28, 2014. This hospital, essential for treating civilian injuries, was subjected to a devastating attack. Medical personnel, including those from Doctors Without Borders (MSF), were working in the hospital at the time of the bombing. MSF immediately condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and a complete dereliction of the legal protections designed to safeguard medical facilities during times of war.
Denial of Evidence by the IDF
The justification provided by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for the attack on Al-Shifa Hospital was baseless. They claimed that Hamas had established an underground bunker equipped with sophisticated communication equipment underneath the hospital. However, no evidence was presented to support these allegations.
The incident at Al-Shifa Hospital is part of a larger pattern of attacks on medical facilities. In addition to Al-Shifa, the IDF also bombed three other hospitals: the European General Hospital, Beit Hanoun Hospital, and Al-Aqsa Hospital, a 190-bed facility treating civilians seeking safety inside the building.
Following the 2014 conflict, then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concern about the low rate of investigations into violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) in Gaza. Various Israeli human rights organizations, including B'Tselem, criticized the inadequacy of Israeli military investigations. It was not until a year later that the UN set up an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate potential war crimes in Gaza. Israel, however, did not cooperate with the Commission, preventing the UN from conducting investigations in the Gaza Strip.
Documenting the Truth: Jonathan George Snow's Ground Truth
One of the few English journalists to provide firsthand documentation of the incident was Jonathan George Snow, the longest-running presenter of Channel 4 News. Snow spent five days in Gaza, witnessing and documenting the harrowing events and human tragedies. His video blog and subsequent article shed light on the atrocities committed during Operation Protective Edge and brought the issue to a wider audience.
Despite the difficulties in obtaining ground truth, Snow's work exemplifies the importance of independent reporting in ensuring that the voices of the affected communities are heard. His contribution helped bring attention to the violation of international humanitarian law, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice.
The attack on Al-Shifa Hospital during Operation Protective Edge is a stark reminder of the importance of stringent enforcement of international humanitarian law. The repeated violation of these laws by Israel, as seen in this case, underscores the need for a robust global response to hold violators accountable and ensure the protection of civilians during times of armed conflict.