In a stark revelation from the UN’s Human Rights Office, new findings bring to light the devastating toll that the ongoing Gaza conflict has taken on civilians, particularly on women and children. Over a six-month period, nearly 70% of those killed were non-combatants, a sobering statistic that underscores the humanitarian crisis unfolding in one of the world’s most densely populated areas.
The UN attributes this high casualty rate in part to the use of weapons with wide-area effects in urban areas. These powerful weapons, designed to cover large spaces, are not easily contained and often impact entire neighborhoods, turning residential areas into deadly zones. Around 80% of fatalities occurred in places where people should feel safest—in their homes and within residential buildings. The report noted that among these casualties, a staggering 44% were children, and another 26% were women, the most impacted age group being children between the ages of five and nine.
This crisis is exacerbated by the siege conditions in Gaza’s northern regions, where, since early October, vital supplies have struggled to reach those in need. Food, water, and healthcare access have been severely compromised, leaving an already vulnerable population in dire circumstances. In this setting, displaced families find themselves without adequate shelter or support, and aid groups warn that conditions are rapidly deteriorating.
In a strong rebuke, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the violations of international humanitarian law, citing principles that are foundational to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Türk highlighted specific laws of warfare, including the principle of distinction, which obliges warring parties to differentiate between combatants and civilians, and proportionality, which prohibits attacks where harm to civilians would outweigh military gains.
This report brings into sharp focus the ethical and legal responsibilities of those engaged in the conflict. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have previously stated their commitment to international law and have indicated they are targeting Hamas operatives, the high civilian toll suggests a troubling disconnect between operational strategies and humanitarian principles. In response, IDF representatives have maintained that efforts are made to mitigate civilian harm, using precision-guided munitions whenever possible. However, the UN’s findings on residential casualties paint a different picture, suggesting that far more needs to be done to safeguard non-combatants.
The UN’s findings resonate deeply with Action on Armed Violence’s (AOAV) commitment to documenting and challenging the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. AOAV – and the wider community who are part of the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) – has long reported that such weapons, by their nature, are indiscriminate in densely populated environments, often inflicting disproportionate harm on civilians.
AOAV’s data consistently shows that when explosive weapons are used in urban settings, civilians bear the brunt of the impact, suffering from both immediate violence and the long-term devastation of their communities.
Beyond immediate casualties, the ongoing conflict has left countless survivors dealing with injury, trauma, and displacement. AOAV’s work consistently highlights that the damage inflicted by urban warfare extends far beyond death tolls, affecting the fabric of society by crippling infrastructure and displacing entire communities. According to aid workers on the ground, parts of Gaza now resemble a “post-apocalyptic landscape,” with rubble-laden streets, destroyed homes, and critical facilities rendered unusable.
The UN’s report also underscores the role of Palestinian armed groups, who, by operating within densely populated areas and utilising indiscriminate projectile attacks, have contributed to the high civilian death toll. AOAV believes that a comprehensive approach to accountability should address the conduct of all parties involved in the conflict, as no strategy that endangers civilians can be justified by operational necessity alone.
In light of the UN’s findings, AOAV calls for renewed efforts to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian laws. We advocate for continued and transparent data collection, which is essential for understanding the true impact of such conflicts on civilian populations. We urge all parties to respect principles of distinction and proportionality and to consider the humanitarian consequences of their actions.