An analysis from CNN shows that Israel struck some areas it had previously directed civilians to flee in Gaza. From Israeli military advisories to civilians in certain neighborhoods to evacuate due to upcoming air strikes, to the Israeli aerial bombing of the same neighborhoods, a CNN analysis found at least 18 instances in which Israeli strikes struck very close to a location for which civilians had been warned to vacate.
The analysis occurred at the peak of the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza in May. According to the United Nations, over 4,000 targets in Gaza were struck by Israeli military forces. Hundreds of Palestinian civilian casualties have been reported as a result of the conflict, including many killed in the strikes.
Though the Israeli military declined to comment to CNN, they previously said in a statement regarding their operations in Gaza that “Israel takes extraordinary efforts to strike at military targets while minimizing civilian casualties to the greatest extent possible.”
However, this latest analysis shows that despite their efforts the Israeli military may be striking civilians as well. One incident mentioned in the analysis saw a warning sent to nearby Israeliaze refugees across the border in Israel to evacuate immediately due to a possible strike in the area. An hour later the strike occurred in the same exact area.
Concerns of a further deepening of the humanitarian crisis due to the Israeli strike have been expressed by international organizations including the United Nations. The protection of civilians on both sides of the conflict is of utmost importance and strides must be taken to ensure civilian lives are put in as little danger as possible.
