Israel Uses International Law-forbidden Explosive Drones During Military Operations In Gaza

JAKARTA - The Euro-Mediterania Human Rights (HAM) watchdog said the Israeli military used explosives drones during operations in northern Gaza. Whereas the explosive drone is prohibited under international law.

"The Israeli military is exacerbating genocide against the Palestinian people there, by committing massacres, intentional killings, hunger, and widespread forced evacuations," the Geneva-based organization said in a statement.

The Euro-Mediterania human rights watchdog explained "the Israeli military has actually separated northern Gaza from Gaza City by deploying vehicles and setting up sand barriers and debris from destroyed houses, in addition to shielding from drones."

The organization noted "it has received many testimonies about the use of the bomb-ladendrone/robot that was detonated remotely by the Israeli military, which expanded damage to houses and buildings in its vicinity as well as added to the lives, while the duty of ambulance and civilian defense teams has almost stopped completely, except in narrow locations in a number of areas."

Israel's use of drone explosions/robots is "forbidden under international law because it is considered a haphazard weapon that cannot be directed or restricted only to military targets," he said.

According to him, the Israeli military began using the drone bombers for the first time in Gaza in May during a second attack on the Jabalia refugee camp.

The group confirmed the Israeli military "has expanded its destruction and demolition operations of residential buildings in the regime's attack area in northern Gaza, by using three means, namely air bombings, drone/robot bombs and bomb planting in houses."

"Those who survived the killings and direct bombings are still at risk of dying from hunger or thirst, as Israeli forces prevent entry into any aid into northern Gaza, while also destroying and burning bakeries there, in addition to dismantling the remaining wells."

The Israeli military launched a military operation in northern Gaza on October 6 amid a tight siege of the region, claiming that the attack was aimed at preventing Palestinian Hamas groups from regaining power in the area.

Israel continues to intensify brutal attacks on Gaza following cross-border attacks by the Hamas group on October 7 last year, despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Since then, more than 42,200 people, the majority of women and children, have been killed and more than 98,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli attack left almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip displaced amid a siege that is still ongoing, which has resulted in a food, clean water and medicine crisis.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court (ICJ) for their actions in Gaza.