A prominent international legal expert has described the ongoing conflict in Gaza as fundamentally different from other modern conflicts, citing the population’s complete inability to flee the violence.
According to a human rights specialist with extensive experience investigating international crimes, the situation in Gaza stands apart from other humanitarian crises in recent history. Unlike conflicts where civilians could seek refuge across borders, Gaza’s population remains trapped with no means of escape from the hostilities.
The specialist, who recently served on a United Nations investigative body, noted that in other major conflicts – including Rwanda, Syria, and Myanmar – civilians typically had escape routes to neighboring countries. The current situation presents a stark contrast, with the entire population confined within the conflict zone.
Military operations have resulted in devastating casualty figures, with thousands of deaths documented since the conflict began. The expert emphasized that the overwhelming majority of identified casualties have been women and children.
While acknowledging the severity of attacks that initiated the current conflict, the specialist characterized Israel’s military response as counterproductive to its stated security objectives. The approach has reportedly failed to achieve either peace or the dismantlement of militant groups, while significantly impacting Israel’s economy and long-term security.
The legal expert pointed to both public statements from political and military leaders and the comprehensive nature of military operations as evidence of problematic conduct under international law. The combination of widespread destruction of essential infrastructure, high casualty rates, and the population’s inability to flee creates what the specialist described as an unprecedented situation.
The investigative report submitted to the UN found that the threshold for genocide had been met, though such determinations remain rare in international law due to the high standard of evidence required. The Israeli government has rejected these findings.
The specialist called for stronger international response, including sanctions on military-related trade and investigation of potential war crimes. Individual nations were urged to fulfill their legal obligations to prevent atrocities and hold perpetrators accountable.
Drawing parallels with historical documentation of human rights violations, the expert emphasized the importance of establishing an accurate historical record, even when immediate intervention proves impossible. While acknowledging uncertainty about when the conflict might resolve, the specialist noted that the current trajectory cannot continue indefinitely, though many more lives may be lost before a resolution emerges.
