Gaza, Palestine – Beirut, Lebanon –
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) has released a detailed
report titled "Women Facing Genocide: Health and Care Challenges in
Gaza." Based on extensive research, in-depth analysis, and meticulous
fieldwork, the report highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing war on
women in Gaza. It underscores the war's classification as a crime of genocide
against Palestinians, with women being among the most profoundly affected
groups.
Gaza women suffering: Alarming
statistics
Casualties: Over 10,000 women have lost their lives
due to ongoing attacks, with a dramatic rise in the number of widows and
displaced individuals. Women and children make up nearly 70% of the victims.
Pregnant Women and Mothers: More than 49,000 pregnant
women are enduring dire conditions, including 17,000 at risk of starvation,
while 155,000 others face severe challenges in accessing essential medical
care.
Hygiene Crisis: Approximately 690,000 women and girls
lack access to sanitary pads, heightening the risks of infectious diseases.
Israeli occupation's crimes against women
Direct Targeting: Displaced women are being directly targeted by airstrikes and
assaults while seeking refuge.
Arbitrary Detention: Israeli forces have arrested over 142 women, including young girls
and infants, under brutal and inhumane conditions.
Women with Disabilities: The number of women with disabilities has increased significantly
due to the occupation’s use of internationally prohibited weapons.
Women in Gaza: victims of grave violations
The report highlights that women in
Gaza are facing severe violations of international law, with breaches of the
1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 Additional Protocol I, particularly through
the lack of protection and the deliberate targeting of hospitals. They are also
being denied basic rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW), including access to healthcare and reproductive rights.
The report further asserts that the systematic policies targeting women may
constitute a crime of genocide under Article 6 of the Rome Statute, through the
imposition of living conditions that lead to destruction and forced
sterilization.
Research Efforts to Document
Violations
This report is the result of
extensive efforts, including daily monitoring of the field situation, analysis
of firsthand testimonies, and a review of official data and international human
rights reports. Its objective is to reveal the alarming realities of the
targeting of Palestinian women—not only through death and destruction but also
by obstructing access to healthcare and reproductive services, which
constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The report
emphasizes that the targeting of Palestinian women is part of a deliberate,
systematic policy aimed at dismantling the Palestinian community.
Urgent Recommendations for
Protecting Women in Gaza:
Immediate action to protect women in Gaza, beginning with the deployment of international monitors
to ensure their safety and the establishment of secure humanitarian corridors.
International investigations by the International Criminal Court into the systematic crimes
committed against women.
Providing medical supplies to support reproductive health and emergency services, as well as
launching comprehensive rehabilitation programs for women survivors of the war,
addressing both their psychological and social needs.
Global awareness campaign to highlight the suffering of women in Gaza, aiming to rally
global solidarity and pressure the occupation authorities to halt the ongoing
violations.
For the full report follow the link.
To schedule
press interviews, please contact the Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness).