Tirana Hassan, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, praised South Africa for referring the Israeli military campaign in Gaza to the International Court of Justice, stating that the international community would be responsible for ensuring Israel's compliance with any judicial decision. South Africa has called for an emergency halt to the Israeli air and ground attacks on the Palestinian territory, telling the court in The Hague that Israel is committing acts of genocide.
Hassan told Reuters, "South Africa is providing important leadership here. It is really seizing this important opportunity." She went on to say, "If Israel does not comply with the court's procedures or orders, then the international community must ensure that any possible pressure is exerted to push Israel toward actual compliance with the procedures."
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch issued its global report, documenting abuses worldwide. The organization accused Israel yesterday of using the starvation of civilians as a means of warfare in Gaza, which constitutes a war crime. Israel has firmly denied this accusation.
Hassan stated, "In the midst of this war, what we have witnessed are regular and blatant violations of international humanitarian law... We have been able to document elements of this crime... the crime of starvation." She noted that since the organization documented the starvation in Gaza, there has been no policy shift suggesting that Israeli authorities would abandon this approach.
In response to growing international pressure, Israel eased its complete blockade to allow more food and medicine into the region; however, relief agencies complain that this is insufficient. Hassan added, "But we need to talk about full and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid," which includes food, fuel, and shelter. She emphasized, "We have not witnessed this unrestricted access to humanitarian aid. This is what Human Rights Watch has called for."
