Assymetric Warfare dalam Konflik Israel-Palestina: Dari Destruksi Infrastruktur ke Krisis Kemanusiaan

Abstract

This study aims to describe the dynamics of asymmetric warfare in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has given rise to a humanitarian crisis through the destruction of infrastructure through an IHL study. The method used is qualitative, and data is collected through literature studies. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a prolonged and complex conflict rooted in colonialism and conflicting land claims. The results show that the conflict's power imbalance, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and internal Palestinian fragmentation exacerbate the situation. Recurring attacks, such as those on October 7, 2023, and the Israeli military operation in Rafah in 2024, indicate a recurring escalation of violence. In the context of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), principles such as military necessity, humanity, proportionality, distinction, and non-discrimination are frequently violated, particularly with the destruction of civilian infrastructure, high casualties, and profound psychological impacts on Palestinians. This conflict also reflects a form of asymmetric warfare, where Israel, as an established state with solid military and political power, faces Palestine, which is still struggling for recognition as a nation. This imbalance has a direct impact on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, from blockades and infrastructure damage to clean water shortages, the collapse of healthcare services, and acute malnutrition. Peace efforts ultimately failed because negotiations were exploited to strengthen Israel's dominant position, and the violations of the Geneva Conventions and weak enforcement of international law exacerbated the situation, which is also a result of structural inequalities.