Human Rights Watch said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recently announced “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” is no substitute for urgent, concrete measures by governments to protect civilians and ensure justice after two years of grave abuses in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
‘’Governments should be taking immediate measures, including arms embargoes, targeted sanctions, and support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), in accordance with their international legal obligations to prevent and stop violations by the parties regardless of whether the Trump plan goes forward. Human Rights Watch said in a report published on its website:’’
Atrocity crimes against Palestinians over the past two years have taken a devastating toll on civilians with thousands killed, maimed, starved, forcibly displaced, and unlawfully held hostage or detained; towns and neighborhoods leveled to the ground; and countless communities and lives devastated, Human Rights Watch said.
Human Rights Watch found numerous violations of the laws of war amounting to war crimes, crimes against humanity, including extermination, and acts of genocide, and the violation of binding orders by the International Court of Justice.
In the West Bank, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed or maimed, thousands detained, many without trial or charge, and tens of thousands displaced, mostly by Israeli forces, but also by settlers.
All governments should act to prevent further atrocities and to uphold the universality of human rights. They should take steps to halt ongoing abuses and support credible investigations and meaningful accountability for those responsible, including the following measures:
Press Israeli authorities to immediately and unconditionally lift unlawful sweeping restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza.
Press Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians held hostage.
Suspend military assistance and arms transfers to Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
Impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against Israeli officials and others credibly implicated in ongoing serious violations.
Suspend preferential trade agreements with Israel and ban trade with illegal settlements.
