The Palestinian International Organization for Peace and Human Rights issues a study entitled: “Israeli violations and the inaction of the international community: complex violence that plagues women in the Gaza Strip.”
This study is the result of intensive efforts by the Women’s Unit staff of the Palestinian International Organization for Peace and Human Rights through work in shelters for displaced persons in various areas of the Gaza Strip. It aims to document the impact of the Israeli occupation’s violations against women during the military attack on the Strip, shedding light on the various forms of violence to which they were subjected, whether physical, sexual, psychological, or economic.
The study examines the direct physical injuries resulting from the aggression, as well as the loss of a breadwinner or close family member such as a father, brother or son. It also highlights the disintegration of families and the deteriorating health conditions in displacement centers, and the deliberate destruction of women’s livelihoods, as their projects were halted or destroyed during the attack. The study also documents the starvation policy imposed by Israel, which exacerbates women’s suffering in a harsh environment of ongoing violence.
The study adopted a comprehensive research methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative data to understand the impact of occupation violations on women. Three main tools were used:
- Questionnaires: A random sample of 800 women from displacement centres was targeted.
- Personal testimonies: Includes testimonies of 32 women to deepen understanding of the nature of the violations.
- Field notes: I observed the daily challenges facing displaced women.
The results showed that all participants were subjected to multiple forms of violence. 61.12% of them suffered from both physical and psychological violence, while all women in the sample faced physical violence as a result of the starvation policy. The study also indicated that 37.63% of them were subjected to economic violence due to the loss of their sources of income, while 1.25% of them were subjected to sexual violence during detention, including harassment and forced searches.
The study concluded with main recommendations, including:
- Holding the international community to its legal and moral responsibility: to hold the leaders of the Israeli occupation accountable and stop the systematic violations against women.
- Implementing the decisions of the International Criminal Court: including the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Galant.
- Suspension of agreements supporting the occupation: and reviewing relations with Israel.
- Supporting affected women: through comprehensive plans to improve their health, psychological and social conditions, and documenting violations confidentially.
- Raising awareness: about support services and facilitating access to them to ensure that women receive the necessary support away from social stigma.
