Israel has contributed little to rebuilding Gaza after previous wars. The country has explained the destruction by saying that they have fought terrorists who have stayed in buildings or tunnels. This time it is less likely that this will be accepted, says international law expert Cecilie Hellestveit: – Simply because the bombing and destruction are so enormous and partly difficult to justify under the rules of the International Law. International law expert Cecilie Hellestveit Photo: Ole Jørgen Kolstadbråten Thus, the court settlement, which in all likelihood will come after the war, can end with a new reality for Israel: – If Israeli acts of war in Gaza are considered to constitute war crimes, then there will be a financial responsibility for Israel to cover the loss and to compensate. – So rebuild Gaza? – We have talked a lot about which people will eventually go to prison after the war. An equally important part of it is about financial compensation for what can be classified as war crimes. And war crimes entail financial responsibility. – This is a legal settlement which, by all accounts, will affect Israel as an occupying power in a way they have not experienced before. The EU’s foreign minister: destruction on the level of Germany in 1945 Israel’s prime minister promised revenge after the 7th October attack. 1139 people were killed, and 222 people taken hostage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised revenge and Israel’s military forces have now left large parts of Gaza in ruins. The fury sparked a war and bombing campaign that has been compared to the worst since World War II. After nine months of bombing, Gaza has more or less become one big war ruin. People killed since 7 October 2023 Close Sources: Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) / Israeli authorities Disclaimer: Figures from Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, and may periodically be late. Figures from Israeli authorities show that around 1,200 civilians and soldiers were killed in connection with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. 287 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 27, 2023. None of the figures have been confirmed by independent sources. The Palestinian figures are updated daily. Figures from Israel are updated at least twice a week. Close More information about the figures The World Bank estimates that over 60 percent of Gaza’s homes have been destroyed or damaged due to attacks. More than 290,000 buildings have been damaged, and over 73,000 housing units have been totally destroyed. It is estimated that over 650,000 people will have no home to return to. 80% of commercial buildings have been damaged, 25 out of 36 hospitals have been bombed, with medical equipment worth billions of kroner destroyed. Gaza’s children without schooling Over 500 schools and educational institutions have been hit, according to the UN association. The majority of the UN’s 267 UNWRA schools have been destroyed. The many attacks on schools have led to the complete collapse of the education system, according to the Interim Damage Assessment report. 625,000 pupils and students are now out of school in Gaza. Israel will not contribute financially to reconstruction In previous wars, the international community has been responsible for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s contribution has mainly been to allow in building materials, medical equipment and other items via Israeli checkpoints. In an interview with news in March, Eylon Levy, then spokesperson for Israel’s government, answered the following question about whether Israel will pay this time: – No, we will not pay for the reconstruction of buildings from which Hamas waged war against our people. Eylon Levy, Israeli government spokesperson. Photo: Screenshot – So what you are saying is that we, the international community, have to pay for the reconstruction of what you have bombed? – We say that there must be reconstruction in a way that ensures that, unlike the last time the international community very generously contributed to the reconstruction of Gaza, Hamas used that money to build military facilities underground. It must not happen again. More pressure on Israel this time to pay International law expert Cecilie Hellestveit believes, however, that the pressure on Israel to contribute to reconstruction is far greater than in previous wars. – The Palestinians have more than ever been able to initiate international legal proceedings against Israel. – Palestine can now in important fields be treated as if “Palestine” were a state. This means that Israel is to a greater extent bound by the rules of international law that apply between states when they wage war against Palestinians. Published 11/07/2024, at 16:28
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Israel may have to compensate for the destruction in Gaza – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
