Israel’s New Air War in the West Bank: Nearly Half of the Dead are Children
Introduction:
In recent years, Israel has intensified its military tactics in the West Bank, using air power alongside land incursions. While the world’s attention has been focused on the Israeli campaign in Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been carrying out airstrikes, drone strikes, and attacks by helicopter gunships in the West Bank. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 55 Palestinians, including 24 children. This article explores the impact of Israel’s new air war in the West Bank and raises questions about the legality and morality of these targeted killings.
The Shift to Air Power:
Since last summer, the IDF has shown a new willingness to use air power in the West Bank, deploying drones, planes, and helicopters for attacks. This marks a significant shift in tactics, as the IDF had not regularly used air power in the West Bank since the Second Intifada. The airstrikes have targeted densely populated urban areas and refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nablus, resulting in the deaths of 55 Palestinians.
Children as Collateral Damage:
One disturbing pattern that has emerged from these airstrikes is that nearly half of the people killed were children. Some of these children were involved in confrontations with Israeli troops, but many were unarmed and uninvolved. The ages of the children killed ranged from 11 to 17. The Israeli military has repeatedly stated that the strikes were carried out to kill terrorists, but this investigation suggests otherwise.
International Law and Targeted Killings:
The use of targeted killings and aerial attacks raises questions about their legality under international law. While Israel has declared that the laws of armed conflict govern its use of lethal force in the West Bank, experts argue that international human rights law should also apply. According to international human rights law, the use of force is only allowable as a last resort to protect the life of an officer or others from immediate serious injury or death. The Israeli Supreme Court has called for investigations into targeted strikes, but recent scholarship questions the objectivity and independence of these investigations.
Impact on Palestinian Communities:
The airstrikes and drone strikes have had a devastating impact on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The displacement and destruction caused by these attacks have made refugee camps increasingly uninhabitable. Many families have been forced to move or live in damaged homes. The economic situation in these communities has also worsened, with unemployment rates at 17 percent. The psychological effects of the attacks are also significant, with increased demand for mental health and psychosocial support services.
Conclusion:
Israel’s new air war in the West Bank has resulted in the deaths of 55 Palestinians, including 24 children. The use of targeted killings and aerial attacks raises questions about their legality under international law. The impact on Palestinian communities, both physically and psychologically, has been devastating. It is crucial to examine the morality and consequences of these actions and consider alternative approaches to achieving peace and security in the region.
