The Ongoing Struggle to Uphold the Geneva Conventions Amidst Conflict

The Enduring Relevance of the Geneva Conventions

Seventy-five years after their ratification, the principles established by the Geneva Conventions remain critically important for guiding conduct in armed conflicts. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the global community’s commitment to these fundamental directives. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), highlighted this issue in a recent social media post, marking the anniversary of the Conventions’ adoption.

Lazzarini emphasized that the Geneva Conventions were designed to safeguard civilians during wartime, stating, “Seventy-five years ago today, the Geneva Conventions were put in place to protect civilians in times of war.” He noted that while everyone ostensibly agrees on the necessity of these rules, they have been “blatantly broken” on a daily basis in Gaza, with violations attributed to both the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas.

Furthermore, Lazzarini criticized United Nations member states for failing to fulfill their obligations to respect the conventions and ensure compliance by all parties involved in the conflict. This sentiment echoes a broader concern about the effectiveness of international laws in the face of ongoing violence.

On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a statement reflecting on the historical tragedies of World War II that prompted the ratification of the Geneva Conventions. He urged all nations to reaffirm their commitment to upholding these essential humanitarian rules. “Faced with the horrible reality of war, parties to armed conflict must comply with international humanitarian law to mitigate many of war’s worst humanitarian consequences, support pathways to peace, and advance the protection of civilians and other victims,” Blinken stated.

These remarks came in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a former school compound in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. This incident drew widespread international condemnation, with Gazan health authorities reporting that over 100 individuals had lost their lives, not distinguishing between militants and civilians in their casualty figures.

In defense of their actions, the Israeli military claimed that Hamas and other militant groups were utilizing schools, hospitals, and residential areas in Gaza City as military command centers, thereby violating international humanitarian law. They asserted that their strikes were precise and based on reliable intelligence. In a statement released on Monday, the Israeli military reported that they had identified 31 militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who had been killed during the operation.