Report shows 67% of deaths to explosives in Oct. occurred in Palestine
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The Explosive Weapons Monitor is a civil society effort that conducts research and analysis for the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) on the damage that results from the possession of explosive devices in populated areas across the world.
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Palestinians visit their houses destroyed in the Israeli bombings in Al-Zahra, on the outskirts of Gaza City, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
According to a monthly study issued on Tuesday by the Explosive Weapons Monitor organization, Palestine accounted for about 67% of all documented civilian assaults from the use of explosive weapons globally in October.
According to the report, "At least one death or injury from the use of explosive weapons was recorded in 31 countries and territories in October 2023. Worldwide, there were at least 986 reported incidents of explosive weapon use resulting in 7,788 casualties, of which 6,489 (83%) were civilians. About 67% of all reported civilian casualties occurred in the Occupied Palestinian Territories."
Furthermore, 186 incidences of the use of explosive weapons harming the population's access to assistance, education, and healthcare facilities were documented in eight nations and territories worldwide, with 147 of them occurring in the "Occupied Palestinian Territories," according to the study.
The report detailed that "In these 147 incidents, at least 54 health workers were killed and health facilities, including clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals, were damaged by airstrikes, missiles, and shelling by Israeli armed forces."
The Explosive Weapons Monitor is a civil society effort that conducts research and analysis for the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) on the damage that results from the possession of explosive devices in populated areas across the world.
The United States supplied "Israel" with bunker buster bombs with almost one tonne of explosive warheads that were used to commit at least one known large massacre in Jabalia last month, The Wall Street Journal said in a report on Friday citing US officials.
This notable increase in arms provision, consisting of about 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells, commenced following the October 7 Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, and has been ongoing since, the newspaper pointed out.
Among these, the delivery of 100 BLU-109 bunker-buster bombs, each weighing 2,000 pounds (~900 kg), marks a significant escalation not previously disclosed by Washington.
On Friday, hours after the extended temporary truce expired, US National Security Spokesman John Kirby affirmed that the US supports "Israel’s" resumption of bombing Gaza, but claimed its reiteration that it "take[s] into account the limitations of the laws of war by minimizing civilian casualties."
The Bombardment of Gaza worst since beginning
While "Israel" claims to be conducting a more "surgical" approach in southern Gaza as advised by the US to allegedly avoid mass civilian casualties, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder revealed on Sunday that the current bombardment of Gaza is the worst since the war began.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed on Monday that the United States is anticipating civilian deaths from 'Israel's' assault in southern Gaza, but believes the number will be lower than in the north.
During a press briefing, Miller revealed "We do expect to see civilian casualties as a result of this campaign," but emphasized the US clarified to 'Israel' that it does not wish to see the same number of civilian deaths or displacement that occurred in the north.
Last month, the head of the Gaza government media office, Salama Marouf, stated that "the continuation of Zionist-Nazi crimes against our people in Gaza, with 13,000 martyrs and missing persons in 31 days, represents a death certificate for the so-called international legitimacy, which remains silent in the face of the occupation's aggression and is unable to stop it, even for a single day."
Marouf held the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the World Health Organization responsible for protecting hospitals, after the Israeli occupation made them a target of its aggression, as fuel supplies are running out completely and the countdown began to turn off secondary power generators after the main generators have stopped.
He reported that the Israeli occupation has destroyed 222 schools and 88 government buildings, noting that 60 schools have been taken out of service.
