16 July 2014
As the violence in Gaza escalates, so too does the discriminatory targeting of Palestinians within Israel. This is not to diminish or distract from the dire situation faced by Palestinian residents of Gaza, whose security and very lives are under constant threat by Israel's military onslaught in Operation Protective Edge. Medical officials in Gaza have reported that over 200 Palestinians have died and over 1,100 have been wounded as a result of the IDF strikes on Gaza. A recent report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reveals that 80% of those killed in Gaza are civilians, of whom 21% are children. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has stated the high numbers of civilian deaths raises serious doubt about whether Israeli strikes have been in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The Mossawa Centre calls on the international community to take immediate action to halt Israeli military aggression against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and to facilitate the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
It is important, during this time of heightened tensions, to also shed light on the experiences of Palestinian Arab citizens living within Israel, who stand in solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
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