Michigan – On the first anniversary of the war on Gaza, the American Center for Justice (ACJ) voices its profound concern over the grave crimes and violations committed against Palestinian civilians throughout the past year. These acts represent clear violations of international humanitarian law and rulings of the International Court of Justice.

During the conflict, Gaza’s civilians endured the deliberate targeting of essential infrastructure, with homes, hospitals, and schools bombed. These attacks resulted in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed civilians, including women and children.

The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza has led to catastrophic outcomes, breaching international legal boundaries. Israel's attacks claimed the lives of 41,870 Palestinians, including 16,891 children, 11,458 women, and 2,419 elderly individuals. An additional 742 were killed in the West Bank during the same period, while over 10,000 remain missing. Approximately 785,000 students have been denied access to education.

Over 12,000 people have suffered amputations, while an estimated 400,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings have been completely or partially destroyed. Israel also demolished approximately 450 schools and universities.

The ACJ stresses that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is a serious breach of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which require all parties in conflict to take every possible measure to protect civilians. Such actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The International Court of Justice has repeatedly condemned the excessive use of force and indiscriminate targeting of civilians in armed conflicts. It has confirmed that the violations committed in Gaza meet the threshold of genocide under international law.

The ACJ further highlights that the ongoing siege and bombardment of Gaza contribute to these crimes by isolating civilians, depriving them of essential resources, and preventing access to basic necessities.

On the first anniversary of one of the most brutal attacks in modern history, the ACJ calls for an independent international investigation, overseen by the United Nations, into the war crimes committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Those responsible must be held accountable. The organization also demands the immediate and complete lifting of the unlawful blockade on Gaza, which functions as a form of collective punishment, and calls on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law, particularly in protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The ACJ urges the international community to act swiftly to end these crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, and take decisive steps to end the Israeli occupation and stop the continuous attacks on Gaza's civilian population.