The UK government is accused of applying double standards in its assessment of civilian casualties in Ukraine and Gaza. While over 10,000 civilians have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the initial month of Israeli attacks on Gaza resulted in a higher civilian death toll. How has the UK government responded to these situations, especially if it is concerned about how many civilians died in the Ukraine war but not the Gaza war?
Civilian casualties in Ukraine
The Guardian reports that over 10,000 civilians have lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Approximately half of the recent deaths occurred well beyond the frontlines, as noted by the UN human rights office. With dozens of monitors on the ground, the UN human rights mission in Ukraine anticipates that the actual toll is likely “significantly higher” than the officially reported figures as confirmation efforts persist.
Similarly, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), on November 21, 2023, at least 10,000 civilians lost their lives since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Among the deceased, more than 560 are children, and over 18,500 individuals have sustained injuries, as reported by HRMMU. The organization clarified that the figure of 10,000 represents confirmed civilian deaths based on its methodology. However, it cautioned that the actual number could be significantly higher, considering the challenges and time required for verification. As highlighted by Al Jazeera, Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians.
Civilian deaths in Ukraine vs. Gaza
How many civilians died in the Ukraine war vs. the Gaza war? According to Anadolu Ajansi‘s report on November 7, 2023, the recent month of Israeli assaults on Gaza has resulted in a higher civilian death toll compared to the entire Russia-Ukraine war. The number of Palestinian casualties in one month of Israeli attacks on Gaza exceeds the total toll of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Specifically, 10,022 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, surpassing the toll of 9,806 in Ukraine since February 24, 2022.
The Guardian adds that, according to an annual study, more civilians were documented as killed or injured by airstrikes, bombs, or artillery in 2023 than in any other year for over a decade. This increase is attributed to the substantial casualties from the three-month war in Gaza. Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), a monitoring group, says 33,846 civilians have been killed or wounded during 2023. This figure is an increase of 62% from last year and the largest amount it has counted since 2010.
According to Oxfam (January 11 2024), the Israeli military is killing 250 Palestinians per day. Moreover, there are many more lives at risk from hunger, disease and cold. This death rate massively exceeds the daily death toll of any other major conflict of recent years. Oxfam reported this news as the escalation of hostilities nears its 100th day.
Aid package for Ukraine
Aljazeera reports that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv on Monday (November 20 2023). Mr. Austin unveiled a new military aid package worth $100m for Ukraine during his visit. The aid package includes air-defence interceptors, anti-tank weapons and an additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
UK supporting Israel
As reported by The New Arab, the United States rejected two consecutive ceasefire resolutions in both the UN Security Council and the General Assembly (UNGA) during Israel’s conflict with Gaza. In a similar stance, the United Kingdom chose not to support either of the resolutions, indicating a firm alignment with the position of the United States.
This stance has set Britain apart from other European nations. Countries like Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, and key British allies Australia and Canada endorsed the recent UNGA ceasefire proposal. British ministers reiterated the perspective that “Israel has the right to defend itself by international law.” However, these voices often remained silent on the potential consequences if Israel were to violate international law.
Double standards in Ukraine vs. Gaza
The UK cares about how many civilians died in the Ukraine war but not in the Gaza war. As Anadolu Ajansi says, since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Western leaders have repeatedly condemned and imposed sanctions on Moscow. They have done so due to the indiscriminate killing of civilians. However, they have turned a blind eye to Israel’s killing of thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip. US President Joe Biden expressed his support for Israel in a statement on October 10.
As the New Arab reports, similar to the US, the UK opposed two ceasefire resolutions amid Israel’s war on Gaza. There is a widespread destruction of infrastructure and buildings in Gaza. Besides, around 85 per cent of Palestinians in Gaza have been made homeless. On December 12, Yasmine Ahmed warned that the UK’s weapons sales to Israel may make it complicit in war crimes. Yasmine Ahmed is the Human Rights Watch’s UK Director.
UK complicit in Gaza massacre
To conclude, Sally Abi Khalil says, “The scale and atrocities that Israel is visiting upon Gaza are truly shocking.” Sally Abi Khalil is Oxfam’s Middle East Director. For 100 days, the people of Gaza have tolerated a living hell. Nowhere is safe, and the whole population is at risk of famine (Oxfam). The UK government is strongly supporting Ukraine. However, amid such a disastrous genocide in Gaza, it is supporting Israel in the massacre of Palestinians.
