Israeli war in Gaza has damaged human rights situation

(Patria) - The war between Israel and Hamas, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and led to a severe humanitarian crisis, has had a "significant negative impact" on the human rights situation in the area, according to the US State Department in its annual report released yesterday.

These are credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, forced disappearances, torture, and unjustified arrests of journalists, the State Department states in its 2023 human rights report.

The report states that the Israeli government has taken some steps to identify and punish officials suspected of involvement in these crimes.

The conduct of the Israeli military is under increasing scrutiny as its forces have killed 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health authorities there, many of whom are civilians and children.

The Gaza Strip, occupied by Israel, has been turned into a wasteland, and extreme food shortages have fueled fears of starvation.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, which Israel claims killed 1,200 people.

Human rights groups have documented numerous incidents of civilian injuries during the Israeli military's offensive in Gaza, as well as raising alarms about the rise in violence in the West Bank, also under Israeli occupation, where the Palestinian Ministry of Health claims at least 460 victims of the Israeli army or settlers have been recorded since October 7.

However, the Biden administration has so far rejected claims that Israel is violating international law. Washington provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid to its long-time ally Israel.

Left-wing Democrats and Arab-American groups criticize the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel, which they claim gives it a sense of power without consequences.

This month, US President Joe Biden threatened for the first time to condition support for Israel and insisted on concrete steps to protect humanitarian workers and civilians.