An extensive study has revealed that international humanitarian law is nearing a breaking point as conflicts around the globe result in unprecedented civilian casualties. The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights conducted the research, which highlights the alarming scale of violence and impunity that has emerged in recent armed conflicts.

Civilians in Peril
The report, titled "War Watch," surveyed 23 armed conflicts from July 2024 to the end of 2025. It found that over 100,000 civilians have been killed during this period, with a significant toll on children. In Gaza alone, the death toll reached 18,592 children due to relentless airstrikes and ground incursions by Israel, following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The total population of Gaza has decreased by approximately 254,000, marking a 10.6% decline compared to pre-conflict estimates.

Ukraine and Global Trends
The situation in Ukraine has also deteriorated, with civilian casualties rising sharply in 2025. The report recorded 2,514 civilian deaths, a staggering 70% increase from the previous year. Russian drone attacks have specifically targeted civilian infrastructure, leading to widespread outages of electricity and essential services. The findings indicate that the ongoing violence in Ukraine has resulted in more civilian deaths than in the two previous years combined.

Epidemic of Sexual Violence
The report emphasizes a disturbing trend of sexual and gender-based violence across various conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study describes an "epidemic" of such violence, with the majority of victims being women and girls. The lack of accountability for these crimes has contributed to a culture of impunity, raising concerns about the effectiveness of international humanitarian law.

Call for Action
Stuart Casey-Maslen, the lead author of the study, warned that the repetition of atrocity crimes is a direct consequence of past inaction. He stated, "Our actions – or inaction – will determine whether international humanitarian law vanishes altogether." The report calls for urgent and consistent international efforts to address these violations and hold perpetrators accountable.

Wrap-up
The findings of the "War Watch" study paint a grim picture of the state of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. With over 100,000 civilian deaths and rampant violations of rights, the need for a robust response from the international community has never been more urgent.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team