In 2023, there was a significant increase in the number of civilian casualties killed or injured by explosives, reaching the highest level in more than a decade. According to research conducted by the UK-based charity Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), there was a 122% increase in civilian fatalities caused by explosives compared to the previous year. This rise can be attributed primarily to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Additionally, conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia also contributed to the alarming statistics.
AOAV is a London-based charity whose research is utilized by international forums such as the United Nations (UN). The organization has presented its evidence to the UK’s Parliament as well. Their findings reveal that in 2023, there were at least 7,307 explosive incidents worldwide, marking an increase from the 4,322 incidents recorded in the previous year. These attacks resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 15,305 civilians, reflecting a 122% rise compared to 2022. Furthermore, tens of thousands of individuals sustained injuries.
AOAV highlights Israel’s war in Gaza as a major factor behind the dramatic increase in civilian casualties, accounting for approximately one third of the global total. The charity reports 920 incidents of explosive weapons use in Gaza, causing the deaths of 9,334 people. However, AOAV acknowledges that their data does not capture all harm but does showcase clear trends in explosive violence. The information includes reports from reputable media organizations.
Military operations conducted by Israel, which began in response to attacks by Hamas, significantly contributed to a surge in the number of recorded airstrikes, as stated by AOAV. The charity asserts that the use of air-launched weapons worldwide increased by 226% in 2023, rising from 519 incidents in 2022 to 1,694. Israel claims to have taken unprecedented measures to prevent civilian casualties by issuing advance warnings before conducting airstrikes. However, AOAV’s research indicates that when explosive weapons are employed in populated areas, the majority of casualties are civilians.
Iain Overton, the director of AOAV, emphasizes that the data should serve as a stark warning to states regarding the disproportionate impact of using explosive weapons in urban areas on civilian populations. The charity’s research also indicates a significant rise in the use of ground-launched weapons in 2023. State actors were responsible for 77% of the civilian casualties caused by explosives globally. AOAV identifies Israel as the “most injurious state actor” in 2023, with over 1,000 attacks leading to 12,950 civilian casualties, including both deaths and injuries. Russia follows closely behind, with its military involvement in Ukraine resulting in 8,351 civilian casualties. The ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, and Somalia also contributed to the highest recorded civilian casualties by AOAV since 2010.
Non-state actors, including militants and proscribed groups, have also played a part in the increased use of explosive weapons in 2023. However, AOAV reports that the number of civilians killed by non-state actors decreased by 8%. This development raises concerns about the overall impact of explosive violence on civilian populations globally.
The assassination of a Hamas leader during this period has further raised fears of an escalation in the war. The mounting air strikes conducted by Russia on Ukraine have also come under scrutiny, prompting discussions on the motives behind these actions. The death toll in Gaza provides insight into the devastating consequences of the conflict.
The rising number of civilian casualties caused by explosives in 2023 should be a matter of great concern for the international community. Effective measures need to be taken to prevent the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and protect civilian lives during times of conflict. The findings presented by AOAV serve as a reminder of the urgent need for peaceful resolutions and strategies to mitigate the devastating impact of explosive violence on societies worldwide.