Gaza Shelter Hit: Israeli Shelling Kills Six Displaced Civilians
Israeli shelling strikes Gaza shelter, killing six displaced civilians, intensifying humanitarian crisis.
Photo by khalid kwaik
Key Facts
6 people, including children, killed in Gaza City
Israeli shelling hit a shelter for displaced people
Israeli military claimed firing at 'suspicious individuals'
Incident adds to humanitarian crisis in Gaza
UPSC Exam Angles
Principles and application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
Role and mandate of international organizations like the UN, UNRWA, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in conflict situations.
Geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East, including the Israel-Palestine conflict and its regional/global implications.
Challenges of protecting civilians in urban warfare and densely populated areas.
Concepts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and accountability under international law.
Visual Insights
Gaza Strip: Location of Shelter Hit and Displaced Persons
This map highlights Gaza City, the location of the shelter hit by Israeli shelling, and provides context on the densely populated Gaza Strip, which hosts a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to ongoing conflict. The incident underscores the severe risks faced by non-combatants.
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Background
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Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding International Humanitarian Law (IHL): 1. IHL applies only to international armed conflicts and not to non-international armed conflicts. 2. The principle of distinction requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects. 3. The principle of proportionality prohibits attacks that may be expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects, or a combination thereof, which would be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. IHL applies to both international and non-international armed conflicts, although the specific rules may differ. The four Geneva Conventions primarily cover international armed conflicts, while Common Article 3 and Additional Protocol II address non-international armed conflicts. Statements 2 and 3 correctly define the principles of distinction and proportionality, which are fundamental tenets of IHL aimed at protecting civilians and limiting the effects of armed conflict.
2. In the context of international organizations dealing with refugees and displaced persons, consider the following statements: 1. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides assistance and protection exclusively to Palestinian refugees in its areas of operation. 2. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has a universal mandate to protect refugees and stateless persons worldwide, including those covered by UNRWA's mandate. 3. Both UNRWA and UNHCR are specialized agencies of the United Nations, reporting directly to the UN General Assembly. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct. UNRWA was established specifically to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in the Near East (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank). Statement 2 is incorrect. While UNHCR has a universal mandate, Palestinian refugees falling under UNRWA's operational area are generally excluded from UNHCR's mandate to avoid duplication and due to UNRWA's specific historical establishment. Statement 3 is incorrect. While both are UN bodies, UNRWA is a subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly, and UNHCR is a program of the UN General Assembly; neither is a specialized agency in the formal sense (which are autonomous organizations linked to the UN via agreements, e.g., WHO, UNESCO).
3. Which of the following international legal instruments or bodies is primarily responsible for prosecuting individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide?
- A.International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- B.International Criminal Court (ICC)
- C.United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
- D.International Law Commission (ILC)
Show Answer
Answer: B
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands. It has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) settles legal disputes between states and gives advisory opinions. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, including authorizing interventions or sanctions, but does not prosecute individuals. The International Law Commission (ILC) is a body of experts responsible for helping develop and codify international law.