27 December 2009, marks the first anniversary of Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. The unlawful blockade imposed by Israel continues, and is in its Fourth year , producing further deterioration of the entire civilian population situation since Israel launched Operation Cast Lead against the territory on 27 December 2008, and maintained its military attack for 22 days.
The offensive launched by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on the Gaza Strip, between 27 December and 18 January 2009, has caused total destruction in many parts of the Gaza Strip. The air strikes started at 11:25 am, where the IOF launched a wide scale aerial offensive, which has so far targeted forty police headquarters and stations, public and governmental buildings and security sites throughout the Gaza Strip. As a result, 336 Palestinians have been killed. This day was considered the bloodiest day in the history of occupation and then the Israeli war continued for 23 consecutive days until Israel has announced to unilaterally cease fire in the Gaza Strip on 18 January 2009.
In its offensive on Gaza, IOF employed its full-fledged arsenal and used its air, ground and sea forces, in addition to the use of internationally banned weapons. As a result, the all-out military action against Gaza killed 1,359 people, including 224 children, and 203 women, and leaving thousands more injured.
According to Al Dameer documentation, the most wide-scale destruction by IOF during the reported offensive took place in GazaCity. 781 cases of destruction to civilian properties and facilities were recorded in GazaCity during the offensive. That was in addition to 707 cases of destruction in northern Gaza, 404 in Khan Younis and Rafah, and in the last rank, the middle governorate, as it recorded 119 cases of destruction.
IOF deliberately and systematically destroyed the entire vital facilities in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in unprecedented deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. This military escalation comes amid the continuing tightening of the Israeli imposed siege on the Gaza Strip which prevents the movement of people and goods to and from the Gaza Strip. Israel prohibits the entry of hundreds of other life sustaining commodities – especially fuel, medicines, medical supplies, and potable drinking water.
International and national missions confirmed that Israel was responsible for the perpetration of grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, war crimes, and serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The findings of the offensive proved that Israel has violated international law and committed war crimes amounting to grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and possibly crimes against humanity.
The various reports revealed clearly the reality of Israeli occupation during its offensive on the Strip. IOF deliberately killed civilians and destroyed their property. But unfortunately the international community remained silent towards these Israeli crimes. The international community failed to take effective steps to stop crimes committed by IOF that serves to encourage IOF to commit more of such crimes against Palestinian civilians and property. Human rights violations will continue as long as Israel is granted the ability to act as a State above the law.
Al Dameer Association for Human Rights expresses its solidarity with victims of the Israeli offensive and their relatives. It assured that it will duplicate its efforts to achieve justice for the victims of human rights abuses in the OPT. it will continue in its attempts to ensure international justice all the victims. Consequently, Al Dameer:
1- Affirms that the International community silence raises fear of another Massive War by the IOF against the Gaza Strip, particularly in the light of the Israeli threats to wage another massive war as the international community allows Israel to act as a state above the law.
2-Affirms that as the occupying power, Israel has an obligation under Articles 55 and 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly require that the Occupying Power should – to the fullest extent of the means available to it – ensure the supply of food and medicines, while ensuring and maintaining the health system. This requirement places the Occupying Power under a definite obligation to maintain at a reasonable level the material conditions of the occupied population. Israel should guarantee the entry of essential goods required for reconstruction, and not to hinder their access.
3- Demands the International Community to make tangible efforts to combat impunity, and uphold victims’ rights. Since Operation Cast Lead, no effective judicial investigations have been conducted into the conflict. As long as Israel is allowed to act with impunity, they will continue to violate international law and civilians will continue to suffer the horrific consequences, which mean that justice is denied.
4 Demands international Security Council to endorse the findings and recommendations of the UN Fact Finding Mission lead by Justice Goldstone. The recommendations of the Fact Finding Mission focused on the need for accountability, detailing extensive implementation mechanisms in the pursuit of justice. An independent committee of experts must be established to monitor whether credible domestic investigations are conducted into the allegations contained in the Report. If genuine investigations are not forthcoming, the Security Council must refer the situation in Gaza to the International Criminal Court.
5- Demands national judicairy to ensure the non-politicalization of its work , in order to mainatin the rights and intersets of victims in various parts of the world.
6- Calls on victims’ relatives in the Gaza Strip for not giving priority to policy over the rule of law in order to ensure their right for effective judicial remedy
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ALDAMEER ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS\GAZA
