Overall, the scale of human loss and devastation in Gaza is alarming, with a disproportionate impact on innocent children and civilians. The United States must ensure that arms transferred to Israel, like transfers of arms to all allies, are being used in a manner that is consistent with all applicable domestic and international laws and policies, including international humanitarian and human rights laws, and the “Leahy Law” (22 U.S.C. 2378d, 10 U.S.C. 362).
Israel has the right to defend itself and respond to the horrific October 7th attacks, but it's deeply concerning that the tactics used by Prime Minister Netanyahu go far beyond normal warfare. Gaza is only 25 miles long and 7 miles wide (one third the size of New York City), yet in that tiny space of land:
- More kids have been killed in Gaza than were killed in every single war over the past 4 years. Over 12,000 children have died. As Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF said, "I think these numbers that we're seeing out of Gaza are just staggering. We haven't seen that rate of death among children in almost any other conflict in the world. It's really shocking."
- Over 40,000 people have been killed. This figure has been confirmed by multiple sources using different methods.
- Due to heavy bombing and raids on hospitals, only 12 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are even partially functional. As stated by the President of Doctors Without Borders after returning from Gaza, “Israel has shown a blatant and total disregard for the protection of Gaza’s medical facilities. We are watching as hospitals are turned into morgues and ruins.” This is a direct violation of Article 14 of the Geneva Convention.
- Over 73,000 people have been injured, but crucial medical supplies continue to be blocked at the border.
- More aid workers have been killed in Gaza than in any other conflict over the last two decades. As of April 2nd, nearly 200 have died.
- More journalists have been killed than in any other conflict on record within one year. As of April 26th, 97 have died and 25 have been arrested. In 2023, 75% of journalists that died were killed in Gaza.
- The entire population of Gaza is now classified as being in acute hunger as a result of Israel blocking food aid into Gaza. This is the highest percentage of a population in acute hunger ever.
- Over 35% of all buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed. According to the United Nations Satellite Centre, 88,869 buildings were destroyed in the first 5 months of the war.
As the primary supplier of weapons and assistance to Israel, we must demand Netanyu’s government uphold basic human rights and protect civilians.