On 10 August 2024, the attack by the Israeli army air force on the Et-Tabiin School, where Palestinians who were forcibly displaced in Gaza took refuge, was reported in the printed and visual media. It was stated that hundreds of people were killed and dozens of people were wounded in the attack.[1] It was reported that the number of people killed in the Israeli army's attacks on the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023 has increased to 39,623 and the number of wounded to 91,469.[2] Despite all the reactions of international judicial mechanisms and public opinion, the continuation of the massacre and total blockade in Gaza and the targeting of schools and similar civilian sanctuaries where forcibly displaced Palestinians seek refuge deepens the current humanitarian crisis. The attack on civilians, regardless of them being women, children and the elderly, during the morning prayers once again revealed the atrocities occurred.

Israel continues to commit systematic and widespread war crimes and genocide against the civilian population in Palestine in front of the eyes of the entire world. In disregard of international human rights norms, massacres against civilians in hospitals, places of worship, schools and civilian settlements are escalating with each passing day. According to United Nations (UN) data, 9 out of every 10 people in Gaza, which has a population of approximately 2.3 million, have been forcibly displaced due to Israeli attacks. Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, the protection and care of civilians is essential even during war.  Humanitarian law norms require the avoidance of interventions that would result in civilian casualties or injury to civilians.

As the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, we once again condemn the systematic and widespread attacks by Israel against the civilian population in Gaza, which constitute war and genocide crimes, and call on all actors of the international community to take action to take the necessary steps to end this atrocity and ensure lasting peace in the region.

Respectfully announced to the public.