US branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres has joined 13 other humanitarian and civil rights organizations in an open letter to US defense secretary Lloyd Austin to protect civilians in Gaza from Israeli attacks across the strip.
Some strong language accusing Israel of the targeting of civilians and civilian objects.
Quote:
Categorically oppose the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks that fail to distinguish between civilian and military objects, and attacks that cause disproportionate civilian harm; as well as the deprivation of life-saving humanitarian assistance and the use of siege tactics to deprive the civilian population of items indispensable to its survival. We note with great alarm numerous reports of attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including media reporting detailing the Israeli military’s use of “power targets,” civilian objects such as residential buildings and universities attacked with the stated goal, according to current and former intelligence analysts quoted in the media, of “creat[ing] a shock” that will “lead civilians to put pressure on Hamas.” In recent remarks, President Biden also stated that Israel is engaging in “indiscriminate bombing.” Such practices clearly violate international humanitarian law (IHL) principles that require militaries to distinguish between civilians and combatants and prohibit attacks that cause disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian objects. The U.S. government must unequivocally condemn indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians or civilian objects in Gaza.
We are also deeply concerned with Israel’s continued restriction of humanitarian assistance and deprivation of the resources essential for survival. International law requires that parties to conflict allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need (Customary Rule 55).
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Full letter.
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.or...civilians-gaza