Report: Israel linked to over half of civilian explosive weapon deaths in 2025
The Israeli military was responsible for more than half of all civilian deaths caused by explosive weapons worldwide in 2025, according to a new report by the Explosive Weapons Monitor.
The report said more than 22,600 civilians were killed by explosive weapons across 65 countries last year. While the figure marked a 21% decline from 2024, largely due to ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, civilian harm remained severe.
According to the report, 56% of all recorded civilian deaths from explosive weapons were attributed to Israeli armed forces.
Palestinian territories account for most aid-related incidents
The monitor identified Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Myanmar, Ukraine and Sudan as among the hardest-hit areas in 2025.
State armed forces were responsible for 85% of all incidents causing civilian harm or damage, the report said.
It also highlighted a growing threat to civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations, noting that attacks involving explosive weapons affecting aid delivery rose by 52% last year.
Nearly 90% of such incidents were recorded in the Palestinian territories, according to the report.
Warning over ‘normalization’ of civilian harm
Katherine Young, research and monitoring manager at the Explosive Weapons Monitor, warned that civilian suffering in conflicts is becoming increasingly widespread.
“When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, civilians suffer,” Young said, adding that the persistence of such harm across multiple conflicts risks the “normalization” of civilian suffering on a massive scale.
Source:DailySabah
