Eran Etzion, a former Israeli official who served under four prime ministers and was deputy head of the National Security Council, suggests that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may be committing war crimes in northern Gaza. As someone with extensive public service experience and a critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Etzion’s warning carries weight.
He urges officers and troops to reject any illegal orders that could potentially lead to war crimes. Etzion emphasizes the importance of upholding international law and standards, especially in the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As we sit on the balcony of his home in central Israel, the peaceful surroundings contrast sharply with the desperate situation in Gaza. Medical staff in Jabalia are pleading for aid, describing dire conditions and shortages of essential supplies.
Etzion expresses concern for the civilians caught in the conflict, highlighting the need for Israel to abide by international norms and avoid actions that could be construed as war crimes. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral values and operating within the boundaries of international law.
International criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza continues to grow, with allegations of deliberate obstruction of aid and violations of humanitarian law. Despite the justifications provided by the IDF, experts like war crimes lawyer Prof Philippe Sands KC argue that Israel’s conduct may constitute violations of international law.
The crisis in Gaza raises questions about the enforcement of international law and the accountability of state actors in conflicts. With the ICC prosecutor seeking arrest warrants for Israeli officials and Hamas leaders, the situation in Gaza has far-reaching implications for the future of international justice.
Los tres, incluido el líder de Hamas Yahya Sinwar, están ahora muertos.
“El [derecho internacional] no está funcionando sobre el terreno en relación con Rusia y Ucrania. No está funcionando sobre el terreno en relación con Sudán. No está funcionando sobre el terreno en relación con Palestina e Israel.
“No hay si ni peros. Simplemente tenemos que reconocer eso. Pero eso no es razón para deshacer todo el sistema.
“Si te preguntas cuál es la alternativa, que básicamente es no tener trozos de papel con la palabra Tratados escrita en ellos, vuelves a la década de 1930, y al menos lo que tenemos ahora es un sistema de reglas que permite a las personas levantarse y decir: ‘Esto es una violación de un tratado'”.
Pedimos una entrevista al IDF pero dijeron que hoy no había portavoz disponible, y nos remitieron a una declaración anterior que dice: “El IDF seguirá actuando, como siempre lo ha hecho, de acuerdo con el derecho internacional”.
Y hoy el Coordinador de Actividades Gubernamentales en los Territorios (COGAT), ala humanitaria del ejército, dijo que era su política facilitar la entrada de ayuda a Gaza “sin límites”.
Esta es la narrativa de Israel. Pero a medida que continúan surgiendo escenas de sufrimiento civil desde Jabalia, está siendo ampliamente cuestionada.
Con informes adicionales de Rudabah Abbass, Haneen Abdeen y Alice Doyard”