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User: what are some war crimes performed by israel in palestine?

what are some war crimes performed by israel in palestine?

Assistant: Short answer up front: international bodies and major human-rights organizations say there is credible evidence that Is…

Short answer up front: international bodies and major human-rights organizations say there is credible evidence that Israeli forces have committed multiple acts in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory that amount to war crimes (and in some reports crimes against humanity or even genocide). Below I list the kinds of conduct those reports identify, with concrete examples and authoritative sources so you can read the investigations yourself.

What legally counts as a “war crime”

Under the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions, war crimes include intentionally directing attacks against civilians, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks, collective punishment, unlawful deportation/forcible transfer, attacking medical/humanitarian personnel or objects, outrages upon personal dignity (torture), and intentionally depriving civilians of objects indispensable to survival (water, food, medical supplies). ihl-databases.icrc.org

Alleged war-crimes by Israeli forces (types + examples & sources)

1. Indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks that killed large numbers of civilians - Human Rights Watch, Amnesty and UN reports document airstrikes and artillery attacks in populated areas that killed and injured many civilians, including children, and argue some strikes meet the elements of war crimes because they were indiscriminate or disproportionate to any military advantage asserted. Examples include strikes in Rafah, al-Maghazi and other population centres. Human Rights Watch
2. Deliberate deprivation of essentials (water, food, fuel, medical supplies) — starvation as a method of warfare - HRW and other organizations have documented policies and operational restrictions (sieges, blockades, denial of aid, destruction of water infrastructure) that they say intentionally deprived civilians of water and other basics — conduct that can amount to a war crime (and has been framed by some groups as a crime against humanity or part of genocidal acts). The ICC prosecutor has also raised related allegations. Human Rights Watch
3. Collective punishment and forced displacement / unlawful transfer - Multiple UN bodies, Amnesty, B’Tselem and others say orders to evacuate entire areas, coupled with siege/denial of humanitarian assistance, and mass forced displacement of Palestinians amount to collective punishment or unlawful forcible transfer — both prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and potentially war crimes or crimes against humanity. United Nations
4. Attacks on hospitals, medical personnel and other protected objects - UN commissions and human-rights NGOs have documented strikes on hospitals, clinics and ambulances and documented impediments to medical evacuations and care. Targeting or recklessly endangering medical services can be a war crime. ReliefWeb
5. Killing or shooting of civilians seeking food/aid - Reports from HRW and others describe incidents where civilians gathering for aid or seeking food/water were fired upon; HRW has said such killings can constitute war crimes. Human Rights Watch
6. Ill-treatment, abuse and deaths in custody of Palestinian detainees - Investigations and audits (including reporting by Israeli bodies and independent orgs) document severe overcrowding, beatings, denial of medical care and deaths in detention — conduct that may amount to torture, inhuman treatment, or other grave breaches. Recent audits and rights-group reports raised alarm about detainee conditions after the October 2023 escalation. The Wall Street Journal

What’s been done so far

• The International Criminal Court has an open investigation into the situation in Palestine and the ICC prosecutor has sought arrest warrants related to leaders on both sides; the ICC and UN documents are key sources for the legal status of allegations. International Criminal Court
• Multiple UN fact-finding missions / commissions of inquiry and major NGOs (Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, B’Tselem) have published detailed reports concluding there is reasonable basis to believe war crimes — and in some reports crimes against humanity or genocide — have been committed. These organizations call for impartial investigations and accountability. Human Rights Watch

Important caveats

• “Alleged” vs “proven”: many of these findings are based on NGO, UN and other investigations that present strong evidence; legal determinations (criminal convictions) require judicial processes. The ICC and other judicial bodies are the fora where legal guilt is finally determined. International Criminal Court
• Both sides: international investigations have examined conduct by Israeli forces and by Palestinian armed groups (e.g., attacks by Hamas), and many reports stress that abuses and potential war crimes have been committed by multiple parties to the conflict. The Guardian

If you want, I can:

• produce a short timeline with specific alleged incidents (dates, locations, and the reports that document them), or
• provide PDFs / primary documents (UN reports, HRW, Amnesty, ICC filings) summarized and linked so you can read the originals, or
• explain the legal tests investigators use to decide whether an act is a war crime (e.g., distinction, proportionality, military necessity, intent).

Which of those would be most helpful to you?