The war on Gaza illustrates the failure of international law. The law both failed to prevent Israel attacking Gaza and has also failed to protect civilians and the civilian infrastructure during the course of the conflict. Many innocent lives have been lost, including hundreds of women and children. Schools, mosques, hospitals and government infrastructure vital for the functioning of society have been destroyed and the people of Gaza have no or limited electricity, water and fuel. With almost constant fighting and bombardment, people cannot leave their homes to find food, fuel or basic, non-emergency medical care and treatment. Maternal health services are closed to make way for vital emergency care for the wounded, meaning more women are forced to deliver at home further exposing them to maternal death or injury, thus invisibly and silently adding unknown numbers to those dead and injured by the military action.

One of the most fundamental rules of international humanitarian law is the principle of distinction, which requires parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times and not to direct attacks against civilians and the civilian population. International law demands warring parties to abide by this rule and other vital principles of proportionality and necessity. Yet these are being routinely flouted by Israel, as civilians and civilian buildings are targeted. The humanitarian protection contained within the law demands that the civilian population is spared the effects of hostilities and is treated humanely. Again this is ignored by Israel. In the densely populated territory that is Gaza, nobody is being spared the effects of Israel’s attacks: civilians are killed and wounded, homes are destroyed, hospitals are overwhelmed and undersupplied, and aid agencies struggle to deliver the most basic necessities.

Women are particularly suffering as they struggle to care for the others around them: elderly parents, relatives and children. The displacement of families as they are forced to flee or seek refuge from damaged or destroyed homes has a particularly heavy physical and psychological impact on women and children. The stories that follow are from some women living in Gaza through these horrific times.