Disabling and maiming Palestinians in Gaza is both a tactic and a consequence of Israel’s war machine – with its roots in Yitzhak Rabin’s infamous ‘break their bones’ directive from the First Intifada. 36 years later, and six months into Israel’s latest assault on Gaza, Israel continues to find new ways to punish Gaza collectively both as a tactic and a consequence of the never-ending cycle of systematic violence. Israeli attacks on civilians are executed with modern weaponry like the R9X Hellfire missile, which tears apart human bodies in its vicinity. These assaults facilitated by AI-driven software like ‘Lavender’ and ‘Where’s Daddy?’ highlight a concerning disregard for civilians, as they are added to long “kill lists” without thorough examination.
Numbers and Beyond
Before October 7th, it was estimated that approximately 21% of households in the Gaza Strip were home to at least one person with a disability. This distressing reality, largely stemming from the enduring cycle of violence, is further exacerbated by the Israeli army’s collective punishment and now, a generation is left impaired. It is heartbreaking to note that almost every day, ten children lose a limb. Additionally, of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinian civilians, 15% of whom are composed of disabled persons.
Beyond the numbers, the grim situation unfolds as disabled people find themselves unable to shield themselves against harm during airstrikes due to their hearing, mobility, or visual disabilities. Moreover, in attacks targeting caregivers, the plight of disabled individuals worsens, with many left behind to face dire consequences, including death. Gazans are also becoming disabled due to a lack of healthcare. It’s not enough to avoid the airstrike, the battle to treat the injured is ongoing.
Furthermore, amidst the disability aspect of the tragedy in Gaza, mental well-being is another big concern. Specifically, the initial moments when children are rushed to hospitals, trembling and shivering because of the profound shock caused by the massive bombings and the tragic loss of their family members. These harrowing experiences contribute to the permanent risk of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among those who left behind the catastrophe.
Rabin’s infamous legacy
The roots of today’s war tactics can be traced back to Yitzhak Rabin’s days. He served as Defense Minister during the First Intifada (1987-1993) and later became Prime Minister, gained notoriety for his infamous directive to the Israeli army in 1988, during the era of prominent protests, to “break their bones”. The intent behind this directive was to permanently disable Palestinian youth by inflicting lasting injuries that incapacitate them. It is evident that since that time, the Israeli military has not shed its cruelty, and this directive continues to be implemented today. The risk of becoming disabled for every wounded individual is remarkably high, and Israel continues its brutality not only through civilian casualties but also by leaving Palestinian civilians disabled and forcing them into lifelong psychological trauma.
The 2018 Great March of Return exemplified how Rabin’s legacy lives on as occupiers targeted Palestinian civilians during peaceful protests, resulting in 5972 documented injuries, with 493 aimed at upper limbs and 4903 at lower limbs, according to the UN Independent Commission Report. Shockingly, 940 children among the injured were left permanently disabled. This deliberate strategy, reminiscent of Rabin’s “break their bones” policy, manifested as a “shoot to maim” ethos, perpetuating a cycle of violence and oppression that leaves a lasting impact on Palestinian lives both physically and mentally.
Israel has deliberately ignored international law throughout its assault on Gaza. Israel continues to break its pledge to secure the rights of Gaza’s disabled as a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), whose Article 11 stipulates the necessity of “all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict…”
In addition, in violation of UNSC Resolution 2475, which stipulates the protection of persons with disabilities in armed conflict zones, the West continued to provide unconditional support to Israel. This means these principles remain only on paper, and no one cares about their implementation. Israel’s tactic of leaving Palestinians disabled is beyond mere violation—it embodies a cruel and enduring form of collective punishment.
Rabin’s infamous legacy remains a sadistic tactic in Israeli attacks, deliberately aiming to disable civilians and condemn them to a life disconnected from daily activities, even if they manage to survive. Paradoxically, Rabin, the pioneer of this idea of disablement, went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize during the heyday of the Oslo Accords. Since Rabin’s days, Israel has violated hundreds of international law tenets with total impunity. It seems that the West is addicted to rewarding those who violate its principles while a generation of Palestinians lives with lifelong consequences.
This article originally appeared in the opinion section of the New Arab.