A program director at Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over foreign countries supplying arms to Israel and Palestinian armed groups involved in the conflict in Gaza. An Human Rights activist speaking from the West Bank, highlighted the disregard for basic protections for civilians by both sides since the hostilities began.
Activist emphasized the role of countries like Iran, the United States, and the UK in providing weapons to the conflicting parties, which could implicate them in the grave abuses occurring in the region. The US, in particular, stands out as the largest supplier of arms to Israel.
While US President Joe Biden has temporarily halted certain arms shipments to Israel and threatened further pauses unless the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves, Bashi argued that mere warnings are insufficient. She called for concrete actions to stop the flow of weapons that are being used to harm civilians.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has drawn international attention and condemnation for the high toll on civilian lives and infrastructure. Calls for a ceasefire and efforts to address the humanitarian crisis have intensified, with a growing focus on the role of external actors in fueling the violence through arms supplies.
As the situation in Gaza remains volatile and the civilian population continues to suffer, the debate over foreign arms supplies to the conflicting parties is likely to escalate. The pressure on countries providing weapons to reassess their involvement in the conflict is expected to grow, with human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch advocating for accountability and an end to complicity in the atrocities unfolding in Gaza.
