Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continue to target Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, in blatant violation of international law and human rights norms.
On Thursday, the IOF shot and killed two young Palestinians, Ahmad Ramzi Saeed Barbah (32) and Mohammad Osama Imran (19), in the Sheikh Nasser neighbourhood east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The killings occurred amid intense gunfire from Israeli occupation military vehicles stationed along the so-called “yellow line,” a separation zone demarcating over 50% of eastern Gaza under Israeli control from the areas where Palestinian movement is allowed in the west.
Simultaneously, the IOF troops continued demolishing residential buildings in northern Rafah, causing massive smoke clouds and explosions that put civilians at even greater risk. These actions reflect Israeli persistent disregard for civilian life and its repeated violations of international humanitarian law.
International law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and its protocols, obligates parties in conflict to protect civilians, distinguish between military and civilian targets, and ensure proportionality in attacks. Any deliberate or disproportionate killing of civilians constitutes a war crime.
Since the ceasefire agreement in October 2025, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of 492 Palestinians and injured more than 1,350, highlighting the occupation’s failure to comply with international legal norms.
These crimes are part of a wider campaign of genocide waged since 7 October 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 71,000 Palestinians, injuries to 171,000 more, and the destruction of nearly 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. UN estimates place the cost of reconstruction at approximately $70 billion.
Gaza is no longer merely a conflict zone, it is a theatre of ongoing violations of the right to life and security. The international community must act urgently to uphold international humanitarian law, safeguard human rights, and hold the occupation accountable for its repeated atrocities against defenceless civilians.
