An Israeli air attack on a residential building in central Gaza on October 31, 2023, which killed 106 people, including 54 children, has been labeled as an “apparent war crime” by Human Rights Watch. HRW conducted an investigation based on testimonies, satellite images, photographs, and videos, concluding that there was no military target near the building, making the attack “unlawfully indiscriminate”. Witnesses reported that over 350 people were inside the Engineers’ Building when it was hit without warning, resulting in massive civilian casualties.
The international rights group has called for governments to suspend weapons transfers to Israel and support the International Criminal Court’s investigation in Palestine. They criticized the lack of information provided by Israeli authorities regarding the attack and urged other governments to press Israel to end unlawful attacks and halt arms transfers.
The United States and Britain have come under pressure to stop arms exports to Israel following the deadly attack, with concerns about the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. HRW warned that governments providing arms to Israel risk being complicit in war crimes and should use their leverage to push for an end to grave abuses.
The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 33,000 since Israel’s military operation began in October, with many civilians, including women and children, among the victims. HRW emphasized the urgency of investigating possible war crimes and holding those responsible for the attacks accountable.
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