Paramilitary forces aligned with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces shelled a residential neighborhood in Dilling, South Kordofan, on September 5, resulting in at least five fatalities, including a child. This incident is part of the broader conflict in Sudan that has caused extensive civilian suffering. Just days later, a Russian drone and missile strike targeted residential areas of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, killing at least five people and injuring over 30. The assault is one among numerous attacks that have contributed to significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began.
On September 10, an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, killed four members of a Palestinian family, including two girls aged eight and twelve. The strike highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the United Nations estimates that more than 80% of structures have been destroyed or damaged, and at least 60% of the population has been displaced from their homes due to the prolonged conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups.
While the conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza differ in context and actors, they share a troubling trend: the mounting toll on civilians caught in the crossfire. Reports indicate that civilians are increasingly being targeted, prompting investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into potential war crimes. Aid organizations have described the violence in Sudan as a “war on the people,” a characterization that resonates with observations of indiscriminate attacks in Ukraine and Gaza.
Civilian casualties in warfare have a long history, with deliberate targeting becoming prevalent during major conflicts such as the Thirty Years’ War and extending into the 20th century with strategic bombing campaigns in World War II. The 1949 Geneva Conventions established key legal protections for civilians, gaining near-universal ratification. Despite these frameworks, recent conflicts reveal a troubling resurgence of tactics that place civilians at heightened risk.
Efforts to hold perpetrators accountable face challenges, including political opposition to the ICC. The court’s prosecutors and judges have encountered sanctions and diplomatic pressure, notably from the United States, complicating investigations into alleged atrocities.
Experts contend that protecting civilians requires more than reaffirming legal obligations. The link between civilian suffering and broader international concerns, such as forced migration, underscores the need for practical measures. The displacement triggered by conflict often drives populations to seek refuge abroad, creating humanitarian and geopolitical challenges.
Proposed steps include reestablishing and expanding international peacekeeping and protection missions, which have historically mitigated violence against civilians in conflict zones. Empowering local leadership and humanitarian groups through funding and political support is also seen as critical. For example, strengthening mutual aid networks in Sudan could enhance community resilience amid ongoing violence.
Furthermore, experts call for reducing external support that sustains armed groups. In Sudan, foreign arms flows have prolonged hostilities, while in Ukraine, continued global demand for Russian energy supplies indirectly funds military operations. Adjusting trade policies and enforcing stricter sanctions are suggested as ways to curb financial resources that enable ongoing conflicts.
Amid continuing violence in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza, calls for greater international action emphasize the protection of civilians as a fundamental component of global peace and human dignity. Without concerted efforts to prevent harm to noncombatants, experts warn, humanitarian crises will deepen and obstruct pathways to long-term stability.