Unfortunately, because Hamas operates from within the civilian area, these lawful military targets were in close proximity to civilian infrastructure, including homes, health care facilities, schools and mosques.[3] UNRWA itself admitted that a school damaged by IDF missiles was sitting on top of a Hamas terror tunnel.[4] The fact that some civilian infrastructure was damaged does not mean that Israel intentionally targeted that infrastructure or that its strikes were unlawful.[5]

On the other hand, Hamas indiscriminately fired rockets into Israel, intending to harm Israeli civilians and civilian infrastructure. Hamas co-founder Mahmoud Al-Zahar openly admitted that the purpose of the Hamas rockets was “to attack the Israeli targets at very important points, including most of the overcrowded area in the civilian society…”[6] The Hamas rockets killed thirteen Israelis, injured more than 300, terrorized millions[7] and caused millions of dollars in property damage.[8]

Hamas rockets struck two hospitals—the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon, hitting near its emergency room[9] and the Omar Al-Qassam hospital in the West Bank.[10] Gaza rockets also hit a school in Ashkelon which was empty at the time only because the government had ordered schools closed for safety, an empty bus, and numerous other civilian structures.[11] On May 18 and 19, Hamas mortars attacked two separate humanitarian aid convoys entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, injuring an Israeli soldier and disrupting delivery.^[12] In addition, Gaza rockets that fell short in Gaza killed at least 21,[13] and caused extensive damage on the Gaza side, including to Gaza electricity lines.[14]

Contrary to these accusations by Egypt and Qatar, it is Hamas that deliberately attacks schools and hospitals, not the other way around.

The post Response to Claim 35: Israel targeted schools and hospitals in May 2021 appeared first on UN Watch.

“The destruction of sanitation infrastructure, schools, and the media has been going on for 14 years now.”

The post Claim 35, Palestine, 47th Session appeared first on UN Watch.

“We condemn Israel’s…destruction of civilian infrastructure — including residential buildings, education facilities, hospitals…”

The post Claim 35, Bangladesh, 47th Session appeared first on UN Watch.

“Israel’s disproportionate and indiscriminate targeting of schools, hospitals.”

The post Claim 35, Qatar, 30th Special Session appeared first on UN Watch.

Israel “targeted schools and hospitals.”

The post Claim 35, Egypt, 30th Special Session appeared first on UN Watch.