A Reminder that Targeting a Hospital is a War Crime
Elise Baker is a senior staff lawyer at the Atlantic Council Strategic Litigation Project. She leads work on accountability and supports victims and survivors of human rights violations in Syria. Previously, she documented systematic attacks on health care in Syria with Physicians for Human Rights. Britt Gronemeyer is an assistant director at the same project, supporting accountability for human rights violations in countries such as Iran, Syria, and Ukraine.
The world is rightly focused on the ceasefire across Gaza, which brings urgent relief to over two million civilians. While mediators, politicians, and humanitarian workers concentrate on securing a lasting ceasefire and delivering humanitarian aid, lawyers and human rights activists must intensify efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Violations of International Law in Gaza
Israeli military actions in Gaza over the past two years have severely violated international law. Reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity have emerged almost daily, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. A major violation involves strikes on medical facilities, with hundreds of such attacks recorded.
“Israeli military action in Gaza over the past two years has obliterated international law, with near-daily reports of war crimes and crimes against humanity, costing tens of thousands of lives.”
Need for Enhanced Accountability
While the ceasefire is crucial, it is equally important that accountability measures are not sidelined. Protecting health care and civilians in conflict zones requires strict adherence to international humanitarian law and bringing violators to justice.
Efforts to document and respond to these violations must continue alongside humanitarian work, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Author's summary: The ceasefire in Gaza brings vital relief, but persistent attacks on hospitals demand urgent accountability to uphold international law and protect civilians.