U.S. State Department Admits Israeli War on Gaza Had Significant Negative Impacts on Human Rights

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged that the recent Israeli war on Gaza had significant negative impacts on the human rights situation in the region. In its annual report on human rights practices, the State Department cited credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and unjustified arrests of journalists by Israeli forces during the conflict.

The war, which lasted over six months, resulted in the deaths of at least 34,262 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities in Gaza. An additional 77,200 Palestinians were injured. The Israeli offensive reduced vast swathes of Gaza to ruins, displacing 85% of the enclave's population amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

The uncovering of numerous mass graves in Gaza, including at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis where some bodies were found bound and blindfolded, has raised fears of extrajudicial executions and organ theft by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Minister of Justice stated that the mass graves are damning evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide perpetrated by Israel, calling for an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

Why this matters: The U.S. State Department's admission of the severe human rights toll of the Israeli attack on Gaza marks a significant development in the U.S. government's stance. It puts pressure on Israel to be held accountable for its actions and highlights the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.

The White House has demanded answers from Israeli authorities regarding the mass graves discovered at Gaza hospitals destroyed in Israeli sieges. The United Nations and European Union have also called for an independent investigation into the situation. "The UN human rights office says the war had significant negative impacts on the human rights situation," the article states.

In response to the State Department's findings, the U.S. government has signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure, which includes $26 billion in assistance for Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza. President Biden demanded that the new humanitarian aid be allowed to immediately reach Palestinians in the Gaza Strip without delay.

The Israeli war on Gaza has drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations, including Amnesty International, for the arbitrary detention and beating of demonstrators and bystanders. The United Nations and World Bank estimate the losses to the Palestinian economy at about $50 billion since 2000 due to Israeli measures. As the international community seeks answers and accountability, the devastating impacts of the war on the human rights

Key Takeaways

• U.S. State Dept. acknowledges severe human rights abuses by Israel in Gaza war.
• At least 34,262 Palestinians killed, 77,200 injured, 85% displaced in 6-month war.
• Mass graves found, raising fears of extrajudicial killings and organ theft by Israel.
• U.S. provides $95B in war aid, including $26B for Israel and $1B for Gaza.
• International calls for accountability and investigation into Israel's actions in Gaza.