LONDON – On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian resistance campaign carried out the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation, humiliating Zionist existences in front of the eyes of the whole world, damaging the image of so-called invincible forces, and stripping away the image of claimed balance and domination in the region.
They were unable to effectively deal with resistance fighters, so they resorted to killing innocent civilians, including their own settlers. The Zionist occupation forces launched a brutal and massive military operation, resulting in the martialism and injuries of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
Recently, media reports revealed that Zionist forces issued an order that activates the “Hannibal Protocol” that day. This is a military procedure that allows the use of lethal forces to prevent the capture of soldiers. This entry highlights the serious violations committed by the occupying forces against Palestinian civilians and raises questions about compliance with international and humanitarian law.
Hannibal’s protocol, developed in the 1980s, aims to prevent the capture of soldiers at any cost, even if it means sacrificeing their lives. Its revitalization on October 7, 2023 led to indiscriminate bombing targeting private areas, including the music festival, leading to the deaths of dozens of settlers. This excessive use of force reflects a blatant disregard for civilian life and reinforces the culture of immunity practiced by the occupying forces.
Additionally, Gaza witnessed a series of systematic attacks on private infrastructure, service facilities and healthcare facilities during that period. International Reports documented hospital and clinic targeting, destroying the healthcare infrastructure and preventing basic services from being able to provide. These attacks not only destroyed the buildings, but also resulted in the martial and injuries of many healthcare workers and patients. A report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 2024 shows that these attacks will push Gaza’s health care system to the brink of collapse and will devastatingly affect Palestinian access to healthcare.
Occupation forces justify these brutal attacks by asserting the existence of tunnels and military activities under hospitals. However, there is no credible evidence for these claims. In some cases, Zionist officials have acknowledged that these tunnels have been around for decades and do not pose any current threats. For example, former Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak pointed out that since the war in 1973, tunnels under one hospital have existed, and now raises questions about the motives that targeted these facilities.
Additionally, occupying forces committed live-streamed killings targeting displaced people in northern Gaza. Media cameras, along with human rights groups, have documented dozens of massacres committed by the occupying forces through air and artillery bombardment, destroying entire residential blocks, killing and wounding hundreds of civilians.
The occupying forces also targeted the homes they resided, using indiscriminate, guided weapons, such as robots and explosive barrels, mostly women and children.
These systematic attacks on civilians and healthcare facilities constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law that prevents civilians, hospitals and healthcare workers from targeting them. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure exacerbates the suffering of civilians and limits access to critical medical supplies, particularly under the unfair siege imposed on Gaza.
By acknowledging the activation of Hannibal Protocol and targeting healthcare facilities, it highlights the urgent need for independent, international investigations into these violations. Those responsible for these crimes must be accountable to ensure justice and prevent future recurrence. The international community must also take immediate action to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza and ensure access to basic services without threats to their lives.
In conclusion, these events reflect the bitter reality faced by Palestinians under occupation, where their lives and property are constantly at risk. Working to shed light on these violations and hold perpetrators accountable is a critical step towards ending the profession and achieving community justice and peace.