The ACHRS here provides a snapshot of the ongoing developments in Gaza during the past week, with a particular focus on the pressing need for an immediate ceasefire. The report emphasizes the urgency of the situation and highlights the potential violations of international law considering the staggering human toll the conflict has exacted since October 7th, 2023, with over 7,000 Palestinian lives lost.
The past week in Gaza has witnessed a continuation of the protracted conflict that has plagued the region for years. This includes recurring bouts of violence, indiscriminate shelling, and civilian casualties. The situation remains dire, with infrastructure damage and humanitarian crises exacerbating the suffering of the local population.
The Urgency of an Immediate Ceasefire
The deployment of white phosphorus munitions, the cessation of internet access, and the intensive aerial bombardment campaign in Gaza by Israeli forces stand in stark contravention of established norms within international humanitarian law. Firstly, the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas raises significant concerns regarding its potential to cause indiscriminate and disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, thereby infringing upon the fundamental principle of proportionality. Secondly, the deliberate disruption of internet services, a critical means of communication in contemporary society, hampers the ability of civilians to access essential information, communicate with one another, and seek necessary assistance, thus infringing upon their basic human rights and obstructing the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid. Lastly, the extensive aerial bombardment, particularly in densely populated urban centers, engenders profound apprehensions regarding the principle of distinction, as it places civilian lives and civilian objects at undue risk. These collective actions collectively manifest a significant departure from established international legal frameworks, thereby underscoring the imperative for a decisive and expeditious response from the international community to both redress these transgressions and reaffirm the inviolability of humanitarian norms in the safeguarding of civilian populations.
The Amman Center for Human Rights Studies has urgently called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, emphasizing that this imperative is both a moral and legal necessity under the principles of international law. A ceasefire can help prevent further loss of life, alleviate the immense suffering of the Palestinian people, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the negotiation of a lasting solution to the conflict. The international community must come together to exert diplomatic pressure and facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza. It is imperative that all parties involved respect their obligations under international law to protect civilian populations and uphold the principles of humanity. This call for an immediate ceasefire is not just a moral plea; it is a demand grounded in the foundations of international law, and it is a demand for the preservation of human life and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the region. However, it is unsettling to observe that several countries have chosen either not to vote on this crucial matter or to vote against, for that matter. Such abstentions signal a significant departure from the foundational tenets of international humanitarian law and the broader principles of ethical engagement in conflict resolution. This reticence in action jeopardizes the international community’s ability to effectuate meaningful change and ultimately undermines the pursuit of a just and enduring resolution to the crisis.
Sources
Al-Jazeera. 2023. “Communication blackout, fuel shortages, worsen the situation in Gaza”. Al-Jazeera. October 28th. Accessed October 29th, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2023/10/28/communication-blackout-fuel-shortages-compound-the-situation-in-gaza
Chacar, Henriette & Estelle Shirbon. 2023. “Blackout disconnects bombarded Gazans from world and each other”. Reuters. October 28th. Accessed October 29th, 2023.https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/blackout-disconnects-bombarded-gazans-world-each-other-2023-10-28/
Médecins Sans Frontiéres. 2023. “Immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to stop the bloodshed”. MSF. October 28th. Accessed October 29th, 2023. https://www.msf.org/immediate-ceasefire-needed-gaza-stop-bloodshed
Middle East Monitor. 2023. “Israel drops white phosphorus bombs on besieged Gaza”. Middle East Monitor. October 28th. Accessed October 29th, 2023. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231028-israel-drops-white-phosphorus-bombs-on-besieged-gaza/
Middle East Monitor. 2023. “Israel rejects UN resolution for Gaza cease-fire”. Middle East Monitor. October 28th. Accessed October 29th, 2023. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231028-israel-rejects-un-resolution-for-gaza-cease-fire/
Tara John et.al., 2023. “Nations overwhelmingly vote for humanitarian truce at the UN, as Gazans say they have been ‘left in dark’”. CNN. October 27th. Accessed October 29th, 2023. https://edition.cnn.com/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-war-friday-intl-hnk/index.html
