In a startling admission, an Israeli military official has confessed that the high death toll resulting from an attack on the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza was due to the use of improper munitions. The revelation has raised serious questions about Israel’s military tactics and their devastating impact on civilian populations. Speaking to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the official stated that the raid on Maghazi, which claimed the lives of at least 70 people, employed munitions that were ill-suited for a densely populated refugee camp. “The type of munition did not match the nature of the attack, causing extensive collateral damage which could have been avoided,” the official regretfully acknowledged. They further added that the Israeli army is actively working to learn from this incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This admission comes at a time when Israel has faced accusations of employing “dirty” bombs in Gaza. Recent reports indicate that Israel has frequently utilized powerful, unguided “dumb bombs” in the densely packed strip, despite the increased risk of civilian casualties. According to a US intelligence assessment cited by CNN, nearly half of the Israeli munitions used in Gaza fall into this category. Such munitions are known for their lack of accuracy and heightened potential for harm to non-combatants.
The Israeli news outlet +972 had previously highlighted a loosening of the Israeli military’s standards regarding acceptable civilian harm, leading to a higher proportion of civilian casualties compared to previous military assaults. Palestinian authorities claim that over 21,000 people, including more than half women and children, have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza. The recent escalation of violence followed months of mounting tensions, with a Palestinian armed group launching an attack on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 people and the capture of more than 240 individuals.
The attack on Maghazi is not an isolated incident that raises concerns about the indiscriminate nature of Israel’s bombardment. Numerous locations across Gaza have been targeted, leaving a trail of destruction and further loss of life. Palestinian authorities reported that at least 90 people were killed in Israeli attacks on a residential block in the Jabalia refugee camp earlier this month. In early December, Israeli assaults claimed the lives of 700 Palestinians in a single day. Tragically, Palestinians in the besieged enclave find themselves trapped with nowhere safe to flee from Israel’s relentless bombardment, even in areas that Israeli authorities had advised civilians to seek refuge in.
The international community, including aid agencies and the United Nations, has strongly condemned Israel’s targeting of schools, hospitals, and residential areas. The Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza has been deemed the most destructive in recent history, transforming entire neighborhoods into mountains of rubble. As the world watches, questions arise about the proportionality and legality of Israel’s military actions, particularly considering the alarming number of civilian casualties.
It is essential for the international community to take note of this admission by an Israeli official, as it sheds light on the grave issue of civilian casualties in conflict zones. The consequences of employing improper munitions and the need for stricter adherence to international humanitarian law must be addressed to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
