Compounded Nature of Civilian Harm: Infrastructure Damage in the 2008-2009 and 2014 wars in Gaza

Abstract

This thesis examines the compounded civilian harm resulting from infrastructure damage during the 2008-9 and 2014 wars in Gaza. These armed conflicts, among the most lethal of the 21st century, inflicted significant harm on the civilian population. This research asks the question, "How and why infrastructure damage from military action creates and sustains compounded effects of civilian harm in the 2008-9 and 2014 wars in Gaza?" to assess how and why the destruction of essential infrastructure causes and prolongs long-term civilian suffering beyond immediate casualties and damage. The thesis challenges traditional emphasis on civilian casualty as the principal measure of civilian harm and critiques the often vague definitions used in conflict impact assessments. It argues that these measures fail to capture the interconnected and nuanced repercussions of infrastructure damage. By analyzing the wars, this thesis highlights the role of IDF doctrines and tactics, such as the Dahiya Doctrine and Shock & Awe, in creating civilian harm through strategy-driven infrastructure damage. It also investigates external factors, such as the Israeli blockade on Gaza during "Operation Cast Lead," which exacerbates the effects of infrastructure damage by hindering repairs and access to essential services. The destruction of Gaza’s power plant in "Operation Protective Edge" serves as a case study, exemplifying the reverberating impacts on health, quality of life, and displacement, illustrating the connection between civilian harm and infrastructure damage. This thesis finds that the destruction and disrepair of essential infrastructure systems during conflict lead to sustained and compounded civilian harm. It contributes to the academic discourse on civilian harm by comprehensively understanding the compounded effects of infrastructure damage. It also advocates for a more nuanced and standardized concept of civilian harm that emphasizes long-term and indirect consequences.