OIC Reports Systematic Killings Of Palestinians By Israel, Citing Humanitarian Crisis

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Media Observatory for Israel's crimes against Palestinians has documented a consistent pattern of systematic killings against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. From February to May 2024, the observatory recorded approximately 2,000 martyrs per month. Specifically, 3,163 Palestinians were martyred in February, 2,790 in March, 1,788 in April, and 1,780 in May.

This reflects a consistent goal of increasing pressure on the Palestinians, including by withholding significant humanitarian aid and targeting the health sector. The observatory noted that deadly operations peaked in October, November, and December 2023, with 8,635, 6,619, and 7,021 martyrs, respectively. The number of martyrs declined somewhat to 5,031 in January.

The military adopted a scorched-earth policy in preparation for the entry of ground forces during the first four months of the aggression. Most recently, the observatory documented Israeli crimes in Gaza from June 4 to 9, noting the fall of 605 martyrs and 1,765 wounded. The largest number emerged from the Nuseirat camp massacre, where 283 martyrs fell and 816 were wounded amid massive destruction due to air, sea, and land bombardment.

Israel also admitted to bombing a UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) school that was housing displaced people in the Nuseirat camp. This led to the death of at least 30 Palestinians after more than 100 people were martyred in raids on the central region of the Gaza Strip within 24 hours.

In total, the observatory recorded the killing of 37,333 Palestinian martyrs from an unspecified start date until the writing of the latest report. In a humanitarian context, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated that nine out of ten children in Gaza cannot consume sufficient nutrients to ensure healthy growth and development.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem was subjected to daily raids. Israeli occupation forces launched a massive wave of arrests against Palestinians parallel with a flag march led by Israeli Security Minister Ben Gvir and several extremist Israeli ministers. The march passed through Bab al-Amoud and Bab al-Khalil areas and reached Al-Buraq Square adjacent to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

During this march, several Palestinians and journalists were attacked while inflammatory slogans calling for the killing of Arabs and burning Palestinian towns were chanted. In the West Bank last week, occupation forces killed ten Palestinians, most of them in Jenin. They also arrested 166 Palestinians and demolished thirteen houses in Hebron, Jerusalem, and Jenin.

The Israeli occupation also demolished twenty-four commercial facilities, barns, and agricultural structures in various areas of the West Bank. Settlers' attacks increased last week to thirty-eight incidents. During these attacks, settlers set fire to agricultural lands owned by Palestinians in Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah and stole 120 sheep in Jerusalem.

During the same period, total Israeli violations and crimes against Palestinians amounted to about 3,080 incidents. These include all categories of daily crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, and occupied Jerusalem.

With inputs from SPA