A recent peer-reviewed study has shed light on the Israeli military's deployment of highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs in close proximity to Gaza's hospitals during the early weeks of its conflict in the region. The study, conducted by researchers from Harvard and other universities, revealed that between October 7 and November 17, 2023, Israel dropped these bombs within dangerous distances of numerous hospitals in Gaza.
The analysis of impact craters indicated that approximately 25% of all hospitals in Gaza were within the lethal range of these bombs, while over 83% of hospitals (30 out of 36) experienced impact craters within the infrastructure damage and injury range. This concerning revelation comes as Israel has ordered the evacuation of three hospitals in northern Gaza due to a renewed military operation in the area.
The report, published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, highlighted that the use of 2,000-pound bombs near hospitals constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law. Dennis Kunichoff, a data analyst at Harvard University and the lead author of the study, emphasized the devastating impact of these bombs, which release significant shrapnel upon impact, posing a grave threat to both individuals and infrastructure.
In response to the study's findings, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refuted allegations of indiscriminate firing and emphasized their efforts to accurately target military objectives while adhering to international law. The IDF stated that they do not intentionally target civilian objects or civilians.
This revelation has sparked concerns about the protection of medical institutions in conflict zones and the need for strict adherence to international humanitarian law to safeguard the lives of civilians and preserve essential healthcare services in areas of conflict.
