Leaked EU Document Alleges Israeli War Crimes in Gaza

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A secret European Union document circulating among high-ranking officials since November 2024 has revealed startling findings about the situation in Gaza. This internal report, leaked by the Belgian public broadcaster VRT as reported by Anadolu, contains a sharp assessment of various actions deemed to violate international laws of war.

This internal EU assessment compiles findings from leading international organizations, including the UN, International Criminal Court (ICC), and International Court of Justice (ICJ). The document concludes that there have been violations of "fundamental principles of the law of war" through a series of systematic actions.

The EU report notes the use of starvation as a method of warfare, a practice explicitly prohibited in international law. This strategy is carried out through the blockade of humanitarian aid, resulting in acute food crises for over 2 million Palestinians trapped in the region.

One of the most concerning findings is the documentation of over 500 attacks targeting medical facilities and personnel. The impact has been significant: out of 36 previously operational hospitals, only 16 were still partially functional by the end of 2024.

This systematic destruction of medical infrastructure has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of civilians without adequate access to basic healthcare services amidst prolonged conflict conditions.

Despite the serious findings in the report, no sanctions have been implemented to date. This is related to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, worth 15 billion annually, which provides special access to the European market. The agreement theoretically requires both parties to uphold human rights.

EU foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on June 23 to decide the fate of parts of the agreement. According to internal sources, a compromise is being discussed, allowing for an expansion of humanitarian access to Gaza in exchange for avoiding sanctions.

This report has deepened political rifts among EU member states. Reportedly, Ireland, Spain, and Belgium are supporting the invocation of Article 2 of the agreement to trigger a formal human rights review.

On the other hand, Germany and Italy oppose such a move, while Hungary has even indicated it would block the full suspension of the agreement. This division reflects the geopolitical complexities in responding to humanitarian crises amidst economic and diplomatic interests.

The secret document ends with a stirring warning: "Without immediate action, Gaza risks becoming the largest man-made disaster of this century." This statement reflects deep concerns about the escalation of the crisis that has been ongoing since October 2023.

The situation is further complicated by the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court last November against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Additionally, there is an ongoing genocide case at the International Court of Justice, adding to the international legal pressure on actions taken in the region.

Data indicates that nearly 54,700 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, with the majority of victims being women and children according to local health authorities. International aid agencies continue to warn of the looming threat of famine for millions of residents.

The leak of this secret document adds pressure on the EU to take a firmer stance in responding to the prolonged humanitarian crisis, while balancing various complex political and economic interests in the region.

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