Israeli forces have reportedly targeted aid workers in Gaza on at least eight occasions since October 7, despite the organizations providing their coordinates for protection, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The attacks resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including two children, as outlined in a recent HRW report.
HRW alleged that Israeli authorities did not issue advance warnings to any of the relief organizations before carrying out the strikes. One of the attacks on January 18 involved a US-made munition with British components, delivered by an F-16 aircraft, as stated by the UK-based NGO Medical Aid for Palestinians, citing UN inspectors.
HRW warned that governments supplying arms to Israel could be complicit in potential war crimes. The organization highlighted significant flaws in the deconfliction system, which is designed to safeguard aid workers.
According to HRW's report, staff from 11 humanitarian organizations and UN agencies in Gaza have been forced to take measures such as suspending or severely restricting operations and reducing personnel due to Israeli attacks. The UN has documented the deaths of 254 aid workers in Gaza since October.
The report accused Israeli authorities of deliberately obstructing the delivery of essential supplies like water, food, and fuel, impeding humanitarian assistance, destroying agricultural areas, and depriving civilians of vital resources for survival.
The source has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for a response to the HRW report.
