US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has been criticized for suggesting that Hamas should accept a ceasefire to prevent further Palestinian deaths, a stance seen as leveraging collective punishment. Despite ongoing negotiations, Israel has not yet signed the proposed ceasefire deal, and the US has called on Israel to better protect civilians in Gaza. Legal experts argue that the US is indirectly admitting to using the suffering of Palestinian civilians as a bargaining chip against Hamas.
The Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank has been subjected to recurring nightly invasions by the Israeli military, resulting in destruction of homes, streets, and infrastructure. The raids, which have increased since October 7, are a form of collective punishment imposed on the camp and its inhabitants. Despite the destruction, the resistance in the camp, particularly the Jenin Brigade, continues to fight back. The Israeli army's attempts to portray victory through vandalism and arrests have not deterred the resistance, which remains steadfast and determined. The Israeli strategy of targeting both the resistance and the people of the camp in the hopes of driving a wedge between them has not succeeded, as the residents express their unwavering support for the resistance.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Israel for using Hamas's offensive as a justification for collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza, calling for international monitoring of the situation. Lavrov attributed the attack to decades of blockade and unfulfilled promises to the Palestinians. He also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, describing it as a "hybrid war on Russia" launched by the US and NATO, and accused Ukraine of implementing laws to cancel everything Russian. Lavrov's comments come as Russian President Vladimir Putin suggests Moscow could mediate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and condemns the US veto of a UN Security Council resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
South Africa has joined the diplomatic boycott of Israel over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, recalling all diplomats from Tel Aviv to signal its concern. The South African government expressed its worry about the continued killing of children and innocent civilians in the Palestinian territories, stating that Israel's response has become one of collective punishment. The recall of diplomats is seen as a normal practice, and they will provide a full briefing to the government, which will then decide on the future of the relationship with Israel. Several other countries, including Turkey and some South American nations, have also recalled their diplomats from Israel due to the escalating violence in Gaza.
The laws of war have limitations and are not designed to outlaw fighting completely or ban all killings of civilians. They set minimum requirements for situations where usual moral rules and ways of resolving disagreements have failed. Acts of war can be horrifying without necessarily being illegal. The laws carry weight and violations can damage a country's international standing. However, international law is not connected to an international police force or fast-acting court system, and investigations of war crimes often take years to complete. The threat of future prosecution can act as a deterrent. Collective punishment is a war crime and a violation of international humanitarian law, but not all attacks on civilians violate this rule. Accusations of collective punishment have been made against Israel in the Hamas-Israel conflict, but Israel denies these claims.
Human Rights Watch has raised alarm over the dire situation in Gaza, where the death toll from Israel's 10-day bombardment has surpassed 2,750, including over 1,000 Palestinian children. Hospitals are running out of electricity and water, and water has already run out at UN shelters. The Israeli siege has displaced over 1 million residents of Gaza, and more than a thousand people are believed to be trapped under rubble. Israeli officials have made statements suggesting their intent to commit mass atrocities, and there are reports of the use of white phosphorus, which is unlawful in populated areas. The international community is being urged to take action to stop the escalating crisis.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, stating that it had gone beyond the right to self-defense and had become collective punishment for the people of Gaza. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has been pushing for diplomatic efforts to deescalate the conflict and deliver aid. The US has been unable to evacuate American citizens from Gaza through Egypt's Rafah crossing. Cairo faces pressure to allow fleeing Palestinians to enter Egypt, but the resettlement of large numbers of Gazans in Egypt is unpopular due to security and economic concerns.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) condemns the mass killing of civilians by Hamas and the indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Gaza by Israel. They call for an immediate end to the bloodshed, establishment of safe spaces, and safe passage for trapped civilians. The siege imposed by Israel has worsened the chronic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving medical infrastructure weakened and supplies scarce. MSF teams are witnessing unprecedented destruction and are struggling to provide medical care. They urge the protection of civilians, infrastructure, and healthcare facilities, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life.
International rights experts are raising concerns over the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Palestinians and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Activists argue that Israel's decision to cut off power, water, and fuel to the enclave amounts to collective punishment and violates international laws. The laws of war prohibit the targeting of civilians, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the deprivation of essential services. The International Criminal Court has announced that its mandate to investigate alleged war crimes extends to the current conflict, and the UN Human Rights Council has already gathered evidence of war crimes committed by both sides. The situation in Gaza is worsening, with hospitals running out of supplies and the population suffering from a lack of basic commodities.
The family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who attempted to stab an Israeli police officer is set to be demolished by the Israeli government as part of its controversial practice of punitive demolitions. The family's appeal was dismissed by Israel's Supreme Court, and demolition crews have arrived to inform them that the explosion will take place within days. Rights groups argue that such demolitions are collective punishment and leave innocent family members homeless. The practice has drawn condemnation from Western governments and the United Nations, with some officials expressing concern that it may actually fuel further violence. The Israeli government, however, defends the practice as a deterrent against attacks.
Israeli forces demolished the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in Ramallah, West Bank, despite the fact that he has not yet been tried. The practice of demolishing the homes of Palestinians "suspected of carrying out attacks" on Israelis is a long-held practice of Israel, which human rights groups say is a policy of "collective punishment" that may amount to war crimes. The Faroukh family tried to appeal the demolition order to Israel's High Court of Justice, seeking to have their homes sealed rather than destroyed, but to no avail.
