Human Rights Watch Report Highlights Unprecedented Violations in Israel and Palestine
Human Rights Watch Report Highlights Unprecedented Violations in Israel and Palestine
In a disturbing revelation, the Human Rights Watch report on Israel and Palestine in 2023 unveils a harrowing account of widespread human rights violations and potential war crimes, marking a dark chapter in the region’s history. The detailed examination of events from October 7 onwards paints a grim picture of civilian targeting, deliberate attacks, and a shocking scale of destruction.
The report sheds light on the October 7 attack by Hamas-led gunmen from the Gaza Strip on southern Israel. Deliberate targeting of civilians, firing into crowds, and taking hostages, including older individuals and children, are cited as acts amounting to war crimes. Israeli authorities report over 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, since that fateful day. Disturbingly, 133 individuals remain held hostage as of December 15, exposing the severity and brutality of the attacks.
Israeli authorities’ response to the events includes the cutting off of essential services to Gaza, such as water and electricity, in acts deemed collective punishment and war crimes. The ongoing blockade exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation, with Gaza’s population suffering from severe limitations on movement, access to electricity, healthcare, and water. The economic devastation adds to the misery of the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza, with long-lasting repercussions.
The West Bank, too, bears witness to an alarming surge in violence. Israeli forces have reportedly killed 464 Palestinians, including 109 children, making it the deadliest year since 2005. Settlement expansion continues unabated, with the approval of a record number of new housing units, raising concerns of potential war crimes. Settler violence reaches its highest daily average since 2006, with incidents escalating to over five per day after October 7.
Gaza’s plight is exacerbated by an intense military operation that has resulted in the destruction of over 46,000 housing units and damage to 234,000 others, leaving 60% of the housing stock in ruins. Attacks on schools and hospitals, coupled with a blockade, have created a public health crisis, leading to a severe lack of electricity, fuel, and critical humanitarian aid.
The Israeli closure policy, in effect since 2007, severely restricts the movement of Palestinians in Gaza, denying them basic services and economic opportunities. The blockade, compounded by Egyptian restrictions on the border, has left Gaza’s residents without freedom of movement and access to essential services.
The report also addresses abuses by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Deliberate targeting of civilians, taking hostages, and launching indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli communities are condemned as war crimes. The unlawful detention of Israeli civilians with psychosocial disabilities raises further human rights concerns.
The situation in the West Bank is equally grim, with Israeli forces carrying out large-scale raids and intensifying repression. The use of excessive force, settler violence, and the denial of due process under harsh military law paint a stark picture of systemic violations.
International responses vary, with more condemnation directed towards Hamas than Israeli actions. The US and other Western countries’ military support to Israel, despite the grave abuses documented, underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape.
The report highlights ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into Palestine and the UN Human Rights Council’s resolutions condemning actions on both sides. However, achieving international consensus on condemning Israeli war crimes remains a challenge, particularly due to divisions among European Union member states.
In conclusion, the Human Rights Watch report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international intervention to address the escalating human rights crisis in Israel and Palestine. The international community must work towards holding accountable those responsible for the documented violations and strive for a just and lasting resolution to the longstanding conflict.
Human Rights Watch Report Highlights Unprecedented Violations in Israel and Palestine
| Instagram Page | Click Here |
| Go to Our Home Page | Click Here |
| Link For newsdigital24 Latest Job | Click Here |
| For our Facebook Page | Click Here |