Even war has rules

WJ #141

Testo a cura di Matilde Castagna, Giulio Di Meo e Marika Ikonomu

Eccellenze,
La situazione in Medio Oriente diventa di ora in ora più grave. La guerra a Gaza infuria e rischia di estendersi a tutta la regione. Le divisioni stanno spaccando le società. Le tensioni minacciano di esplodere. In un momento cruciale come questo, è fondamentale essere chiari sui principi, a cominciare dal principio fondamentale del rispetto e della protezione dei civili. Ho condannato in modo inequivocabile gli orribili atti di terrore senza precedenti compiuti da Hamas in Israele il 7 ottobre. Nulla può giustificare l’uccisione deliberata, il ferimento e il rapimento di civili – o il lancio di razzi contro obiettivi civili.

Eccellenze,
È importante riconoscere anche che gli attacchi di Hamas non sono avvenuti nel vuoto.
Il popolo palestinese è stato sottoposto a 56 anni di soffocante occupazione.
Hanno visto la loro terra costantemente divorata dagli insediamenti e piegata dalla violenza; la loro economia soffocata; la loro gente sfollata e le loro case demolite. Le loro speranze per una soluzione politica alla loro situazione sono svanite. Ma le lamentele del popolo palestinese non possono giustificare gli spaventosi attacchi di Hamas. E questi terribili attacchi non possono giustificare la punizione collettiva del popolo palestinese.

Eccellenze,
Anche la guerra ha delle regole. Dobbiamo esigere che tutte le parti sostengano e rispettino i loro obblighi ai sensi del diritto internazionale umanitario… L’incessante bombardamento di Gaza da parte delle forze israeliane, il numero delle vittime civili e la distruzione totale di quartieri continuano a crescere e sono profondamente allarmanti.
La protezione dei civili è fondamentale in qualsiasi conflitto armato. Proteggere i civili non può mai significare usarli come scudi umani.
Proteggere i civili non significa ordinare a più di un milione di persone di evacuare verso il sud, dove non ci sono ripari, cibo, acqua, medicine e carburante, e poi continuare a bombardare il sud stesso…

Gli israeliani devono vedere concretizzate le loro legittime esigenze di sicurezza, e i palestinesi devono vedere realizzate le loro legittime aspirazioni per uno Stato indipendente, in linea con le risoluzioni delle Nazioni Unite, il diritto internazionale e gli accordi precedenti. Infine, dobbiamo essere chiari riguardo al principio della tutela della dignità umana.
La polarizzazione e la disumanizzazione sono alimentate da uno tsunami di disinformazione. Dobbiamo opporci alle forze dell’antisemitismo, del bigottismo antimusulmano e di tutte le forme di odio.

Signor Presidente, Eccellenze,
Oggi è la Giornata delle Nazioni Unite, che segna i 78 anni dall’entrata in vigore della Carta delle Nazioni Unite. La Carta riflette il nostro impegno comune a promuovere la pace, lo sviluppo sostenibile e i diritti umani. In questa Giornata delle Nazioni Unite, in questo momento critico, faccio appello a tutti affinché ci si ritiri dall’orlo del baratro prima che la violenza mieta altre vite e si diffonda ancora di più.

Antonio Guterres – Segretario generale dell’Onu
discorso tenuto il 24 ottobre 2023 al Consiglio di Sicurezza

Antonio Guterres – Segretario generale dell’Onu

Secondo i dati delle Nazioni Unite, aggiornati al 27 dicembre 2023, dal 7 ottobre sono più 21.1o0 i palestinesi uccisi, 53,688 i feriti, più di 65.000 le case distrutte, quasi 2 milioni gli sfollati. Più di 1.200 gli israeliani uccisi e più di 5.400 quelli feriti.

Il reportage

01 – Al Aqsa Flood Operation, 7.10.2023
Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, October 7, 2023. Earlier today, hundreds of resistance fighters raided Israeli settlements and military facilities inside ’48, and thousands of rockets were launched from the Strip. Hundreds of Israelis were injured, including some fatally. While fighting continues in several settlements around the Gaza Strip, Israel launched an airstrike campaign on Gaza. Unconfirmed reports suggest that multiple hostages are now held by Hamas in Gaza.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51356/

02 – Operation Al Aqsa Flood, Gaza city, 11.10.2023
An injured Palestinian sits in the middle of the quarter of Al-Karama which was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, Gaza City, October 11, 2023. Israeli colonial forces continue pounding the Gaza Strip for a fifth day. On the morning of October 7, the Palestinian resistance led by Hamas launched a surprise attack called the Al-Aqsa Flood operation. After firing thousands of rockets towards the lands occupied in 48, hundreds of fighters from the Gaza Strip raided Israeli military facilities and settlements through land, air and sea. Hundreds of Israeli settlers were killed, thousands were injured and and unknown number were taken hostage. In response, Israeli colonial forces declared complete siege on the Strip, denying the enclave’s two-million residents access to food, water, fuel and electricity. Since, hundreds of airstrikes were launched, killing many hundreds. Tens of thousands of Gaza’s residents were displaced as result of the bombings, many of them for the second or third time. 80% of the Strip’s residents are refugees from towns and villages depopulated in 1948. As of the fifth day of fighting, at least 1,055 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip and at least 23 more in the West Bank. At least 1,200 Israelis were killed.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51475/

03 – Destruction, Operation Al Aqsa Flood, Gaza city, 10.10.2023
Palestinians carrying luggage walk through the massive destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City’s al-Rimal popular district, Gaza, October 10, 2023.

Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51448/

04 – Retalation to Al Aqsa Flood Operation, Gaza city, 7.10.2023
Palestinians examine the ruins of a 14-story residential tower, called the Palestine Tower, that also holds Hamas and media offices after it was targeted by an airstrike carried out by Israeli colonial forces in central Gaza City, October 7, 2023. This morning, the Palestinian resistance led by Hamas, launched a massive operation on Israeli settlements and military facilities inside ’48. Hundreds of resistance fighters raided Israeli settlements and thousands of rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of Israelis were injured, among them at least 100 casualties. Multiple Israeli hostages are now reportedly being held by Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli colonial forces are carrying out airstrikes across Gaza. According to reports by the Palestinian Medical sources in Gaza, at least 200 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli air attacks.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51373/

05 – Gaza under attack, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, 26.10.2023
Palestinians try to rescue survivors and pull bodies from the rubble after Israeli airstrikes struck buildings near al-Nasser hospital, in Khan Yunis, October 26, 2023. Israeli colonial forces continue pounding the besiege enclave and the Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 7,000 Palestinians, including about 3,000 children and at least 22 journalists, since October 7, when Hamas launched a large-scale operation that killed 1,400 Israelis, and 200 people taken hostage. More than one million Palestinians have been displaced and 42% of housing units have been destroyed.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51949/

06 – Operation Al Aqsa Flood, Gaza City, 11.10.2023
A Palestinian man rescues a premature baby who was next to his mother when she was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted their home in Gaza City, October 11, 2023.

Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51462/

07 – Gaza under attack, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, 30.10.2023
Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis receives a large number of wounded Palestinians, including children, after Israeli airstrikes hit residential buildings near the hospital, Gaza Strip, October 30, 2023. Hospitals across the besieged enclave are on the brink of collapse from a shortage of fuel and medical supplies. Since October 7, Israeli airstrikes have killed 8,306 Palestinians, including 3,457 children. Approximately 1.4 million Palestinians have been displaced. During the October 7 large-scale operation led by Hamas, 1,400 Israelis were killed and about 240 taken hostage.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/52217/

08 – Gaza under attack, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, 25.10.2023
After another night of relentless bombings by Israeli colonial forces, Al-Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis overflows with the wounded, Gaza Strip, October 26. Some hospitals can no longer function because they ran out of fuel and medicine, and there is even a lack of shrouds to cover the dead. The massive Israeli bombardments have killed more than 5,700 Palestinians, including at least 2,300 children over the last 18 days. More than one million Palestinians have been displaced and 42% of housing units have been destroyed. During the October 7 large-scale operation led by Hamas, 1,400 Israelis were killed and 200 people taken hostage.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51965/

09 – Gaza under attack, Khan Yunis, 25.10.2023
After another night of relentless bombings by Israeli colonial forces, Al-Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis overflows with the dead and wounded, Gaza Strip, October 25.

Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51901/

010 – Funeral of Naem Al Faran, Askar refugee camp, West Bank, 29.10.2023

Palestinians participate in the funeral of 31-year-old Palestinian Naem Al Faran, who was killed by the Israeli colonial forces during a raid in Askar refugee camp, located in Nablus, West Bank, October 29, 2023. Israeli colonial forces and settlers have killed 114 Palestinians in the West Bank, including at least 20 children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Israeli colonial forces have closed crossings and checkpoints across the West Bank, displacing Palestinian shepherd communities amid access restrictions and intensified settler violence. Army raids into Palestinian cities and villages and arrests have sharply increased over the last three weeks, doubling the population of Palestinian prisoners to more than 10,000, according to Palestinian officials. There has been also a sharp rise in settler attacks on Palestinians and several Palestinian communities have been forcibly displaced.

Photographer: Wahaj Bani Moufleh

https://www.activestills.org/image/51980/

011 – Gaza under attack, Rafah, 23.12.2023
Palestinians queue for a meal that has been prepared by volunteers in Rafah, south Gaza, December 23, 2023. According to a UN report, the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza is facing hunger and the risk of famine is increasing each day, with 576,600 people at catastrophic – or starvation – levels. Human Rights Watch also issued a report which denounces the Israeli colonial regime for using starvation as a weapon of war. Since October 7, the death toll from Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza has surpassed 20,000, 70 percent of them women and children
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/52818/

012 – Gaza under attack, Rafah, Gaza Strip, 19.12.2023
Palestinians mourn the death of their loved ones outside the Al Najjar hospital in Rafah, December 19, 2023. Earlier, Israeli air strike destroyed three residential buildings including the Zoroub family home, killing the journalist Adel Zoroub and at least 28 other persons. Since October 7, a large number of Palestinian journalists have been killed – at least sixty-six Palestinian journalists and media workers according to the International Federation of Journalists, and ninety-seven according to the Palestinian Gaza media office. This is one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in decades.
Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/52789/

013 – Palestinian prisoners’ release, Ramallah, West Bank, 30.11.2023
Prominent Palestinian activist 22-year-old Ahed Tamimi from Nabi Saleh is greeted by her mother Nariman after she was released from Israeli prison as part of the exchange deal for which 30 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for 13 hostages held by Hamas, Ramallah, West Bank, November 30, 2023. Other Palestinian families greeted their loved ones who were released in the West Bank city of Beitunia. The vast majority of the Palestinians – 233 prisoners out of the 300 on Israel’s release list – were held as administrative detainees, without being formally charged. The youngest Palestinian on the list is 14. Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the temporary truce by an additional day. The Israeli colonial regime has stepped up the number of arrests since the October 7, doubling the number of Palestinians in custody to more than 10,000. During the last days of the exchange deals, around the same number of Palestinians who were released have been arrested during Israeli raids in the West Bank.
Photographer: Wahaj Bani Moufleh
https://www.activestills.org/image/52485/

014 – Operation Al Aqsa Flood, Gaza City, 11.10.2023
Palestinian men carry a person whoo was injured or killed in an Israeli airstrike launched on Gaza City, October 11, 2023. Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun
https://www.activestills.org/image/51464/

015 – Gaza under attack, Khan Yunis, 21.11.2023

In Khan Yunis Nasser hospital, a child carries the dead body of his brother, killed earlier in an Israeli bombardment, south Gaza Strip, November 21, 2023. According to the UN, since October 7 at least 13,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza by the Israeli colonial forces with 75 percent of them being children, women and the elderly. Following the collapse of services and communications at hospitals in the north on November 10, Gaza’s Ministry of Health has been unable to update the casualty figures people, and thousands are still missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Almost 1.7 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7.

Photographer: Mohammed Zaanoun

https://www.activestills.org/image/52361/

016 – Israeli military raid, Balata refugee camp, West Bank, 9.11.2023

A child reacts during an Israeli military raid on Balata refugee camp, near Nablus, during which the Israeli forces exchange gunfire with Palestinian militants, injuring several people and killing one Palestinian, November 9, 2023. The same day, 14 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli military raid on Jenin refugee camp. Since October 7, Israeli forces have intensified their raids in the West Bank, killing at least 174 Palestinians and arresting more than 2,000 people across the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club advocacy group.

Photographer: Wahaj Bani Moufleh

https://www.activestills.org/image/52293/

Scheda autore

ActiveStills

Activestills è un collettivo di fotografi documentaristi palestinesi, israeliani e internazionali che operano in Palestina, Israele e all’estero. È nato nel 2005 ed è una struttura indipendente auto organizzata, basata sulla convinzione che il lavoro collettivo sia al servizio dell’espressione personale di ogni fotografo e che i progetti congiunti creino potenti dichiarazioni condivise. Activestills è pienamente impegnato nella lotta del popolo palestinese, per i loro diritti e libertà, e mira a sensibilizzare su questioni generalmente assenti dal discorso pubblico o presentate in modo fuorviante dai media.

Activestills is a collective of Palestinian, Israeli and international documentary photographers working in Palestine, Israel and abroad. It was born in 2005 and is an independent, self-organised independent structure based on the belief that mutual work serves each photographer’s personal expression, and that joint projects create powerful shared statements. Activestills is fully committed to the struggle of the Palestinian people, and their rights and freedom, and aims to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse, or presented in a misleading way by the media.

Link

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel – reported impact, 27 December 2023

Ocha – Dati delle Nazioni Unite

English version

Excellencies,

The situation in the Middle East is growing more dire by the hour. The war in Gaza is raging and risks spiralling throughout the region. Divisions are splintering societies. Tensions threaten to boil over. At a crucial moment like this, it is vital to be clear on principles — starting with the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting civilians. I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets. All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions. I respectfully note the presence among us of members of their families.

Excellencies,

It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing. But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Excellencies,

Even war has rules. We must demand that all parties uphold and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law; take constant care in the conduct of military operations to spare civilians; and respect and protect hospitals and respect the inviolability of UN facilities which today are sheltering more than 600,000 Palestinians. The relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the level of civilian casualties, and the wholesale destruction of neighborhoods continue to mount and are deeply alarming. I mourn and honour the dozens of UN colleagues working for UNRWA – sadly, at least 35 and counting – killed in the bombardment of Gaza over the last two weeks. I owe to their families my condemnation of these and many other similar killings. The protection of civilians is paramount in any armed conflict. Protecting civilians can never mean using them as human shields. Protecting civilians does not mean ordering more than one million people to evacuate to the south, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine and no fuel, and then continuing to bomb the south itself. I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza. Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law.

Excellencies,

Thankfully, some humanitarian relief is finally getting into Gaza. But it is a drop of aid in an ocean of need. In addition, our UN fuel supplies in Gaza will run out in a matter of days. That would be another disaster. Without fuel, aid cannot be delivered, hospitals will not have power, and drinking water cannot be purified or even pumped. The people of Gaza need continuous aid delivery at a level that corresponds to the enormous needs. That aid must be delivered without restrictions. I salute our UN colleagues and humanitarian partners in Gaza working under hazardous conditions and risking their lives to provide aid to those in need. They are an inspiration. To ease epic suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages, I reiterate my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Excellencies,

Even in this moment of grave and immediate danger, we cannot lose sight of the only realistic foundation for a true peace and stability: a two-State solution. Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements. Finally, we must be clear on the principle of upholding human dignity. Polarization and dehumanization are being fueled by a tsunami of disinformation. We must stand up to the forces of antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of hate.

Mr. President,
Excellencies,

Today is United Nations Day, marking 78 years since the UN Charter entered into force.

That Charter reflects our shared commitment to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights. On this UN Day, at this critical hour, I appeal to all to pull back from the brink before the violence claims even more lives and spreads even farther.

Antonio Guterres – Secretary General of the UN
24 October 2023

Even war has rules

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