U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is introducing a resolution that would require the State Department to report on potential human rights violations by Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The resolution from Sanders, who is pushing President Joe Biden to support the UN call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, would have the U.S. look into “credible allegations” of human rights violations, “caused by indiscriminate or disproportionate” military operations by Israel.
Quick Read
- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders is introducing a resolution in the Senate that requires the State Department to investigate and report on potential human rights violations by the Israeli military in Gaza. This move aligns with his push for President Joe Biden to support the UN’s call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
- The resolution aims to address “credible allegations” of human rights violations stemming from what is described as “indiscriminate or disproportionate” military operations by Israel. The focus is on ensuring accountability and examining the conduct of military operations in terms of their impact on civilians.
- The likelihood of the resolution gaining enough support to pass in the Senate remains uncertain. However, it signifies a growing concern among a substantial number of Democratic members of Congress. They advocate for the Biden administration to ensure that Israel is minimizing civilian casualties in its military actions. Some lawmakers are suggesting that U.S. aid to Israel should be contingent on the reduction of civilian deaths in the conflict.
- In a related development, Carl Skau, the deputy executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), is urging Israel to allow greater access to Gaza for humanitarian aid. This appeal comes in response to alarming findings that half of Gaza’s population is facing starvation.
- Skau’s call for action includes the recommendation for commercial trucks to re-enter Gaza to replenish empty stores and supermarkets. He advocates for the resumption of the WFP’s cash voucher system, which was instrumental in allowing Palestinians in Gaza to purchase food and essentials before the war.
- The situation in Gaza is described as increasingly desperate and chaotic, with the U.N. facing difficulties in delivering food, particularly in areas where Israel is conducting military operations. The majority of the population is not eating sufficiently, leading to a breakdown in law and order, especially during aid deliveries.
- Skau’s statements echo warnings from U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths about the imminent collapse of the humanitarian operation in Gaza, highlighting the critical need for immediate and increased aid access to the region.
The Associated Press has the story:
Sanders introduces a resolution that would track human rights violations in Gaza
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is introducing a resolution that would require the State Department to report on potential human rights violations by Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The resolution from Sanders, who is pushing President Joe Biden to support the UN call for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, would have the U.S. look into “credible allegations” of human rights violations, “caused by indiscriminate or disproportionate” military operations by Israel.
It’s unclear if the resolution would have enough support to pass in the Senate. But as Congress debates a national security aid package, Sanders’ resolution registers mounting concerns from a sizable number of Democrats in Congress who want the Biden administration to ensure Israel is limiting civilian casualties. Some lawmakers have said U.S. aid must be conditioned on reducing the civilian deaths.
U.N. OFFCIAL URGES ISRAEL TO ALLOW MORE ACCESS TO GAZA AS MANY FACE STARVATION
UNITED NATIONS – A top official for the U.N. food agency is urging Israel to allow more access to the Gaza Strip and ensure security to deliver desperately needed aid, pointing to a survey during the recent seven-day pause in fighting that found half the territory’s population starving.
Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, told a U.N. press conference Thursday that commercial trucks should also start to return to Gaza where supermarkets and other stores are empty.
This would enable WFP to resume its pre-war cash voucher system which enabled Palestinians in Gaza to buy food and other essentials, he said.
Skau, who visited Gaza over the weekend, said the situation is “increasingly desperate and chaotic,” with the U.N. unable to deliver food to the central or northern parts of the strip where Israel is conducting military operations.
“The grim reality is also that nine out of 10 people are not eating enough or not eating every day and don’t know where the next meal is going to come from,” he said.
People are desperate, frustrated and angry, and in Rafah in the south when there are aid deliveries, they try to grab as much as possible, “and this is becoming an increasing problem — that there is a breakdown in law and order,” Skau said.
He echoed U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths’ warning that the humanitarian operation in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.
