Gaza City, Palestine — Armed conflicts are increasingly shifting from rural battlegrounds to populated urban areas, resulting in significant harm to civilians. As these conflicts intensify, the usage of high-explosive weapons within cities and towns is leading to devastating consequences for non-combatants, raising urgent humanitarian concerns.
Explosive weapons, which are often classified as conventional armaments, encompass a range of devices, including bombs, artillery shells, grenades, missiles, and improvised explosive devices. These weapons can be particularly deadly when used in densely populated areas due to their wide-area impact and range. Indirect fire weapons like mortars and rockets are especially problematic because they can cover large distances, often leading to unintended destruction and civilian casualties.
The concerns surrounding explosive weapons are underscored by their design for open battlefields rather than urban spaces. When deployed in areas filled with civilians, such weapons become indiscriminate, threatening lives and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Each year, thousands of civilians fall victim to bombings in their neighborhoods, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect these vulnerable populations.
Beyond immediate injuries and fatalities, the use of explosive weapons can dismantle critical infrastructure, affecting schools, hospitals, and homes. Long after the conflict subsides, remnants of explosive ordnance continue to pose risks, hampering recovery efforts and forcing many civilians to remain displaced or unable to return home.
The United Nations has formally recognized the pressing issue of explosive weapon use in populated areas. Since 2009, the Secretary-General has sounded the alarm on the humanitarian impact of such practices and continuously urged warring parties to refrain from using these weapons in urban environments. His reports to the Security Council advocate for the establishment of safer norms, emphasizing the importance of keeping military operations away from populated regions.
In recent initiatives, the UN Secretary-General’s “Agenda for Disarmament” and “New Agenda for Peace” have both underscored the necessity of mitigating harm to civilians. Recommendations aim to enhance protective measures for those living in conflict zones, encouraging nations to adopt a political declaration designed to strengthen civilian protection and ensure accountability for those who perpetrate violence.
In collaboration with leaders from humanitarian organizations, the UN has made joint appeals to armed groups, emphasizing the need to avoid explosive weapons known for their wide-area effects. Notably, in November 2022, the UN agencies recognized a significant milestone in efforts to protect civilians, endorsing a Political Declaration that addresses the humanitarian consequences of explosive weapons in populated areas.
The call for better data collection is also pivotal in addressing this critical issue. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals include a commitment to drastically reduce all forms of violence, which necessitates gathering detailed information on conflict-related casualties. By analyzing data on the types of weapons used, stakeholders can foster informed dialogue and develop strategies to safeguard civilian lives in future conflicts.
As urban warfare continues to evolve, the international community is faced with the urgent challenge of finding effective solutions to protect civilians. Addressing the humanitarian impacts of explosive weapons in populated areas will require concerted efforts from nations, humanitarian organizations, and civil society to ensure that the rights and lives of civilians are prioritized in conflict scenarios.