CIP Condemns Violations of International Law in Israel-Hamas War and Reiterates Call for Humanitarian Ceasefire

US Support Should Value Israeli and Palestinian Lives Equally

Beginning with our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israeli communities and its atrocities against civilians, the Center for International Policy has emphasized the obligation of the combatants in the Israel-Hamas war to adhere to the law of armed conflict and other international law. While Israel has the right to defend its territory and people following an attack that clearly constituted war crimes, it nonetheless has an obligation to not commit war crimes of its own.

With reports of the number of civilians killed in the Gaza Strip nearing or even exceeding 4,000– including more than 1,500 children– since October 7, it is self-evident that Israel has not adhered to its obligation under international law to take all reasonable precautions to avoid civilian losses and damage to civilian infrastructure. Moreover, statements by Israeli government and military officials calling for the permanent mass forced transfer of civilians and the broad destruction of structures in the territory is prima facie evidence of an intention, both through actions already taken and possible future actions, to commit some of the most serious violations of the law of armed conflict and human rights.

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad also continue to violate international law through indiscriminate rocket fire toward Israel– including a rocket that reportedly malfunctioned and killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza– and the continued holding of Israeli hostages.

CIP recognizes Israel’s right to take security actions that are appropriately targeted and otherwise adhere to international law to defend itself against and degrade Hamas. We are also deeply worried that a massive ground invasion would lead to even further devastating harm to both Palestinians and Israelis. We therefore reiterate our call for — at a minimum — a temporary ceasefire to facilitate steps to prevent further harm to civilians, including the delivery of critical humanitarian aid, evacuation of those seeking refuge from the f ighting and intensified diplomacy to free hostages.

We also call on both the Biden administration and Congress to significantly increase humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in dire need. The administration’s proposal to provide Palestinians with an unspecified amount of humanitarian aid that will likely total only a small fraction of the more than $14 billion to be spent on additional military assistance to Israel suggests a troubling disparity in how the United States values Palestinian and Israeli lives.

Additionally, given multiple statements by officials in Israel’s extremist pro-settlement government pledging or endorsing permanent occupation or annexation in the Gaza and the West Bank, the assistance package ultimately enacted should also contain a binding prohibition on US arms provided to Israel being used in connection with any attempt to displace Palestinian civilians or permanently occupy land in the Palestinian Territories.

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