Israeli War Crimes in Gaza: How International Law Remains a Dead Letter
For over 21 months, the brutal war in Gaza has exposed the collapse of international law meant to protect the innocent. But it seems to be just a facade – Israeli authorities are now openly carrying out what many call war crimes.
Palestinian lawyer Raja Shehadeh, co-author of a book on Palestine, reveals the dark truth: Israeli plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians into death camp-like conditions in Rafah, where people cannot leave, constitute crimes against humanity.
Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard states clearly that this is an operational plan for crimes against humanity. Thousands wounded and hundreds killed while trying to access food – yet most Israelis refuse to recognize their humanity.
Memories of the Nakba, the Arab catastrophe of 1948, remain alive. Palestinians were violently dispossessed of their land, and Israelis took over their homes and orchards without a shred of remorse. The attacks on October 7 were just the start of a new wave of violence and suppression.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister over war crimes, including starvation as a method of warfare. But no arrests have been made, and Western countries continue to provide military and political support to Israel.
International law, though often used as a benchmark, has never saved Palestine. Ineffective enforcement mechanisms and the interests of powerful states have left Palestinians helpless. Yet hope lies in their resilience and refusal to forget their land.
On the West Bank, the situation is no better. Israeli authorities carry out illegal changes, often with the help of settler militias. Hebron, the second-largest Palestinian city, is practically occupied by Jewish extremists, while Palestinians suffer restrictions and repression.
Gaza is on the brink of disaster. Destroyed infrastructure, lack of food, water, hospitals, and schools – the question is whether this land can sustain life after the war. Israel has bombed a school in Gaza, killing children and pregnant women, while the international community shamefully fails to enforce international law.
But the attempt to extinguish life in Gaza is doomed to fail. Palestinians will find a way to survive, with help or on their own. When the war ends, the truth will come out, and perhaps finally Israeli conscience will be held accountable.
If you think this is just another sad story, think again. This is a wake-up call – while the world stays silent, crimes continue. And you? Will you just watch or join the conversation? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, or just say – how crazy is this?
Source: Danas.rs, The Guardian, statements from Palestinian and Israeli human rights lawyers
