Despite UN Resolutions, Palestinian Casualties Continue to Rise

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in response to the Israeli-Palestinian war on Friday, October 27, 2023. The resolution was approved by 120 countries.

"The UN General Assembly adopted a major resolution on the crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate, long-term, and sustainable humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities," stated the UN's publication team on the UN News website.

In the resolution, the UNGA demanded that all parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict comply with international humanitarian law and the principles of international human rights, particularly concerning the protection of civilians and civilian objects.

The resolution also urged the protection of humanitarian workers and non-combatants, and pressed for the opening of facilities and access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

"Furthermore, this resolution calls on Israel, as the occupying power, to revoke its orders regarding the evacuation of Palestinian civilians, UN staff, and humanitarian workers from northern Gaza," said the UN's publication team on the UN News website.

Palestinian Casualties Continue to Rise

Despite the calls and demands, the UNGA resolution has been unable to stem the Israeli military offensive and prevent the killing of Palestinian civilians.

According to data compiled by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), from Friday, October 27, 2023, to Sunday, October 29, 2023, the number of Palestinian deaths increased by approximately 686.

As a result, by Sunday, October 29, 2023, the total number of Palestinian fatalities exceeded 8,100, almost six times higher than the number of Israeli casualties, as shown in the graph above.

The actual number of Palestinian casualties may be higher than recorded. This is because the Israeli military cut off communication facilities in the Gaza Strip since Friday, October 27, 2023, hindering the flow of information.

"On 27 October 2023, landline, mobile, and internet services were cut across Gaza shortly after the Israeli military announced the expansion of its ground and air operations. Key telecommunication towers in Gaza were reportedly attacked," OCHA stated in its report on Friday, October 27, 2023.

"While most communication lines were restored by 29 October 2023, it is difficult to estimate the true extent of damage and casualties during the period 27-29 October 2023, as Palestinian civil defense teams and medical personnel struggled to reach casualties," OCHA stated in its report on Sunday, October 29, 2023.