International rules of combat to deter impact on noncombatants have been loosened or ignored – and other regimes may followIt is a casualty rate that would have unimaginable before the start of the Israel-Hamas war. More than 400 Palestinians have been reported killed after 10 hours of resumed Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, including, according to one early report, at least six members of one family in an attack on a car east of Khan Younis.Though it is too soon to determine how many noncombatants died in attacks that Israel says were directed at Hamas military commanders and political officials (casualty totals from Gaza’s health ministry do not distinguish combatants from the uninvolved), the likelihood is that civilians will have been killed in large numbers. Continue reading...
Resumed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians in 10 hours. This is part of a war with extraordinarily high civilian casualties, far exceeding those seen in comparable air campaigns in the last decade. Palestinian health authorities report over 49,000 deaths in Gaza, with about 59% being women, children, or elderly. Concerns are raised about the application of distinction and proportionality principles, with reports suggesting relaxed Israeli rules of engagement allowing for significant civilian casualties in attacks targeting Hamas operatives.
