Israel's Assault on Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding with Genocidal Consequences

The group of experts further underscored that the situation on the ground is so dire that the United Nations has been unable to guarantee the safety of its staff.

A group of independent human rights experts have raised urgent alarms over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories, describing the situation as a “massacre” that is annihilating Palestinian lives. They argue that the Israeli military's relentless bombings, along with other tactics employed in the region, have led to widespread death and destruction, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.

The experts emphasized that the ongoing military offensive, which fully resumed after Israel broke a fragile ceasefire on March 18, has been marked by an intensification of bombing campaigns and artillery strikes. These attacks have been more aggressive than ever, according to the human rights group, causing the death toll to rise into the thousands. What remains of Gaza’s infrastructure continues to be obliterated, and urgent evacuation orders are repeatedly being issued, exacerbating the already dire conditions for the population.

One of the most alarming aspects of the assault is the continued blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza. Since March 2, Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, including critical supplies like medical equipment, food, fuel, and other essentials. This blockade has left Gaza without electricity, effectively plunging the region into darkness and making survival ever more difficult. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a primary humanitarian entity in Palestine, has also been banned from operating within Israeli-occupied areas, further contributing to the humanitarian catastrophe.

The group of experts further underscored that the situation on the ground is so dire that the United Nations has been unable to guarantee the safety of its staff. This was made painfully clear when, on March 18, an Israeli tank attacked a UN compound in Deir el-Balah, killing one staff member and severely injuring six others. Following this attack, the UN withdrew its staff from Gaza, acknowledging the untenable conditions and the increasing danger faced by aid workers.

The human rights experts have also highlighted the massive loss of life among aid workers in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, at least 408 aid workers have been killed, including 284 from UNRWA and 34 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The PRCS, which has been providing critical medical care and evacuation services, has come under repeated attack. The most recent example occurred on March 23, when eight members of the Palestinian Red Cross were killed while attempting to evacuate civilians in Rafah. Their four ambulances were destroyed and buried under sand, and a ninth paramedic is still missing, presumed detained by Israeli forces.

The ongoing violence has not only decimated the lives of countless Palestinians but has also left deep scars on the healthcare system, which has been pushed to its breaking point. Hospitals, already overwhelmed, have been bombed, and medical staff have become prime targets. This is in stark contrast to the Geneva Conventions, which require the protection of civilians and medical personnel in conflict zones.

The humanitarian experts have warned that Israel’s actions in Gaza go far beyond traditional warfare and bear the hallmarks of genocide. They pointed to the discovery of mass graves in Gaza hospitals such as Nasser and Al Shifa, where hundreds of bodies have been uncovered. The continued extrajudicial killings, particularly targeting aid workers and civilians, further support this claim of genocidal intent. Despite this, international investigators have still not been granted access to Gaza to collect vital evidence or to seek accountability for these atrocities.

The experts also noted that the scale and scope of Israel’s operations have now extended to the occupied West Bank, marking a dramatic escalation in the violence against Palestinians. The ongoing assault, they argue, is not merely a military operation but a calculated campaign to eradicate Palestinian life and identity, both in Gaza and beyond.

The experts called on the international community to take decisive action to prevent further bloodshed and violations of international law. States, they said, must hold Israel accountable for its actions, which are in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions and other international humanitarian laws. They also emphasized that continued political and military support for Israel from other countries, particularly through the transfer of arms and fuel—constitutes complicity in these war crimes.

“States must ensure that Israel complies with international law and that genocide is stopped immediately,” the experts concluded. “Failure to do so will only perpetuate a cycle of violence, lawlessness, and instability, and civilians will continue to pay the ultimate price.”

With no end in sight to the violence and no significant international response to Israel's conduct, the human rights experts warn that the world is witnessing the destruction of an entire population under the guise of military operations. As Gaza continues to reel from the bombings and sieges, the international community faces a critical test in upholding the principles of human rights, justice, and accountability. The stakes could not be higher, and the need for action has never been more urgent.