Israel is still breaking the international humanitarian law

TLDR

Refugees International’s report Scorecard: Israel Fails to Comply with U.S. Humanitarian Access Demands in Gaza critiques Israel’s response to U.S. humanitarian demands during the Gaza crisis. The report, authored by a team of experts at Refugees International, highlights Israel’s near-total non-compliance with measures such as facilitating aid access, protecting humanitarian workers, and ensuring civilian safety. It emphasizes the devastating impact of restricted aid on Gaza’s 800,000 civilians, worsening food shortages, and collapsing healthcare systems. The authors call for U.S. enforcement of humanitarian principles, including suspension of arms transfers to Israel, to uphold international law and protect civilian lives.


Refugees International’s report, Scorecard: Israel Fails to Comply with U.S. Humanitarian Access Demands in Gaza, evaluates Israel’s adherence to U.S. humanitarian demands issued on October 13, 2024, during the Gaza crisis. As the Foreign Assistance Act mandated, these demands included opening border crossings for aid, ensuring civilian safety, and protecting humanitarian workers.


Using a traffic light system, the report rates Israel’s compliance across various categories, with most marked as “Red” for non-compliance. For example, Israel failed to allow unrestricted entry of aid trucks into Gaza, facilitate humanitarian pauses, or prevent targeted violence against aid workers. This lack of action exacerbated already dire conditions, with approximately 800,000 civilians facing acute shortages of food, medicine, and basic supplies.


The authors highlight the catastrophic human impact of these failures. Gaza’s healthcare system collapsed under the strain, malnutrition rates soared, and targeted attacks on humanitarian sites further obstructed aid delivery. Refugees International argues that such actions violate international humanitarian law, undermining global frameworks for civilian protection during conflicts.


The report also examines the broader geopolitical implications, noting that Israel’s non-compliance undermines U.S. credibility in enforcing its humanitarian policies. The authors urge the U.S. government to take decisive action, such as suspending arms transfers to Israel, to hold it accountable and uphold international law. They also recommend appointing independent monitoring bodies to ensure future compliance.

Concluding Reflections

Refugees International’s report underscores the urgent need for accountability in the Gaza crisis, critiquing Israel’s failure to comply with U.S. humanitarian demands. The authors emphasize the devastating consequences of restricted aid and the erosion of international humanitarian law. While highlighting the need for U.S. leadership to enforce consequences for non-compliance, the report raises broader questions about global commitment to protecting civilian lives in conflict zones. Its recommendations, including monitoring mechanisms and arms suspension, provide a roadmap for action.

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