The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor expressed its deep concern over Israel’s targeting of the Internet and communications networks in the Gaza Strip as part of their continued military attack for the ninth day. The Monitor said that Israel’s violent bombings have severely damaged or destroyed networks, equipment and devices crucial for many communication and Internet companies. This has led to the disruption of Internet and communication services for a large number of people in Gaza.

The use of disproportionate force against civilian objects aims only to inflict deliberate and severe human and material losses. The Monitor sent an urgent letter to the European Union’s foreign ministers calling on EU countries to exert pressure on Israel to stop its violent and disproportionate attacks on the Strip. It also called on the Israeli authorities to stop all attacks on residential communities and civilian objects that include high-rise buildings and commercial sites since international humanitarian law recognized the necessity of protecting these objects and criminalized such attacks. The aggregate attacks constitute war crimes and require immediate criminal accountability. For further details, click here.