The Israeli occupation forces’ actions in Gaza, particularly in the northern regions, amount to ongoing genocide, according to Dr. Issam Abdeen, an expert in international criminal law. Since October 7, 2023, these actions have included widespread destruction, the targeting and burning of hospitals, the killing and arrest of medical staff, and systematic devastation of critical infrastructure.
Abdeen emphasized that these violations meet the criteria for genocide as defined under Article 6 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This includes the killing of Palestinians and the imposition of living conditions designed to cause their physical destruction, either in whole or in part.
Abdeen stated that these acts also constitute crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, as they are systematically carried out on a large scale against civilian populations. He cited deliberate killings, the destruction of hospitals, and attacks on civilian infrastructure as examples of these grave violations.
He pointed to the storming of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza by the Israeli occupation forces, which resulted in the facility being set ablaze and rendered inoperative, along with the arrest of its director, Dr. Hossam Abu Safia.
Abdeen added that these actions also amount to war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute, involving grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. These include the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and the deliberate destruction of medical facilities and other civilian infrastructure without military necessity.
He highlighted that 53 international crimes have been documented in Gaza, each constituting an independent violation under international law. He also referenced an ICC arrest warrant issued in May 2024 that identified seven crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces compared to eight attributed to Palestinians, exposing the double standards in international responses.
Abdeen criticized the Palestinian Authority and international human rights organizations for failing to submit comprehensive documentation to the ICC. He also condemned the withdrawal of humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross and UNRWA, from Gaza, which he said further enabled the genocide.
He dismissed Israeli occupation forces’ claims that hospitals were targeted because they allegedly sheltered resistance elements, stressing that such justifications violate the principles of necessity and proportionality under international humanitarian law.
Abdeen called for a unified Palestinian strategy to systematically document crimes, bolster diplomatic efforts, and provide resources to strengthen Palestinian resilience. He stressed the urgency of holding all perpetrators accountable, including Israeli military and political leaders and their international supporters.
He concluded by urging a thorough review of Palestinian efforts, noting that the absence of collective organization has weakened the ability to confront international double standards effectively. Current efforts, he said, are insufficient to meet the scale of the challenges faced in Gaza.
Source : Safa News
