“The level of violence against civilians in Gaza is extreme”
The fact that so many children have been killed in the war in Gaza is evidence that it is primarily civilians who are affected, says Lisa Hultman, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Seven out of ten people killed in Gaza are women or children. Peace and conflict researcher Lisa Hultman says there are indications that the killing of civilians may be deliberate.
“To a certain extent, it is permissible to strike military targets even if it results in civilian casualties. But on the scale we are seeing in Gaza, it cannot be justified.”
Around 90 per cent of the population of Gaza have fled their homes. However, since the war started, it has become clear that even the humanitarian zones are not safe. As a result, there is a reluctance among the population to leave. This is true in northern Gaza in particular, following statements from Israel suggesting that there are plans to reoccupy the northern parts.
“Although this is not an explicit policy, it has still made people afraid that if they leave their homes they may perhaps never return home,” says Lisa Hultman, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research.
One of the main focuses of her research is the impact of war on civilians. In this particular conflict, the proportion of civilians killed has been unusually high. The UN recently published a report that concluded that seven out of ten people killed in Gaza are women or children.
“The level of violence against civilians in Gaza is extreme compared with other conflicts, particularly in terms of the number of children killed. The death of so many children is also clear evidence that civilians are the principal victims.”
Accusations of genocide entail responsibility
What percentage of civilians can be among the dead before you can start talking about genocide? South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, leading to an ongoing investigation by the International Court of Justice.
The official line from Israel is that it is only attacking military targets and is trying to avoid civilian casualties. It also accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields. Hultman believes Hamas has probably done so to some extent. However, Israel then has a responsibility to take this into account. This is no excuse for knowingly killing civilians.
“There are indications that the high number of casualties in Gaza is not the result of carelessness but may also be deliberate. Statements from some political and military leaders support this interpretation. These statements suggest an intention to clear certain areas, which may point to an ongoing genocide,” she says.
“To a certain extent, it is permissible to strike military targets even if it results in civilian casualties. But on the scale we are seeing in Gaza, it cannot be justified.”
Why are people so cautious about using the term genocide?
“It’s partly because the term comes with a responsibility. The Genocide Convention establishes that all states have a responsibility to prevent genocide. This means that if we recognise that genocide is taking place, then other states and the international community have a responsibility to act,” Hultman explains.
She also thinks there is a fear of getting on the wrong side of the US, which is allied with Israel, both politically and militarily. Many countries in the West are dependent on the US, which makes them extremely wary of describing it as genocide.
Veto power stops UN from acting
Even if the ongoing investigation were to conclude that genocide has been committed, this does not mean the war would end. The International Court of Justice has no such mandate. Only the UN Security Council can take coercive action, but the US has veto power there. However, a judgment could send a clear message.
“It could still send an important signal, especially towards the US. A signal that calls into question support for Israel, especially when it comes to supplying the country with weapons.”
In mid-November, the International Criminal Court (ICC), issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallan. Lisa Hultman believes that the arrest warrant can put more pressure on EU countries to act more forcefully. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
Important to focus on the civilian population
At the moment, it is difficult to see any solution to the conflict, says Hultman. Even if there were a political will to end the war, real threats from both sides remain. Israel has tried to eliminate the threat by taking out leaders and military capabilities. At the same time, it has created a vast breeding ground for extremism.
The main hope is that more countries will join forces and exert pressure. Hultman believes that a demand for an Israeli withdrawal is required.
“EU countries can take initiatives and exert pressure but do not have enough influence in the region. I think it is necessary for the US and the neighbouring Arab states to come together and discuss some kind of agreement for the region. And then it will need to be supported by military forces, some kind of international or regional force on the ground.”
Until then, she believes that politicians, humanitarian organisations and civil society have an important role to play in how to talk about the conflict. It is a matter of shifting the focus from who has the right to attack whom to standing up for human rights.
Sandra Gunnarsson