On June 19 the UN Human Rights Office released a report that examines six emblematic attacks from October 9 to December 2 in 2023. The report is most interested in three models of heavy bombs that Israel used in highly populated areas of Gaza, which included the infamous American-supplied 2,000 lb bomb. The six attacks reviewed in the report caused high levels of civilian fatalities and widespread destruction of civilian residences. Choosing these heavy weapons for use in high-density areas is suspected as being a war crime. However, the report argues that when such a practice is repeated over and over, it is no longer just a war crime but also a crime against humanity.
The UN report uses quotes from Israeli officials to show that the military objectives were, in fact, to effect such mass deaths and that these were was not by miscalculation or accident. The report quotes an IDF spokesperson as saying during the period of these attacks that, “right now we’re focused on what causes maximum damage.” Another IDF official was quoted as saying, “Hamas and the residents of Gaza” are “human beasts” and “are dealt with accordingly. Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza. No electricity and no water, just damage. You wanted hell, you will get hell.”
