New York, NY, May 2, 2024 — The International Rescue Committee joins 250 organizations for today’s Global Day of Action urging global policymakers, including the Biden Administration, to end the arms transfers that could be used to violate international humanitarian and human rights law in Gaza. The IRC urges the administration and legislators to listen to humanitarian organizations operating on the ground, including the IRC, who have reported US weaponry used inside clearly deconflicted areas and humanitarian aid impeded by Israel.
Gaza has experienced the most intense use of explosive weapons in a densely populated area this century. An estimated 45,000 bombs, weighing more than 65,000 tonnes, are reported to have been dropped during the first 89 days of the conflict alone. With Israeli bombardment continuing throughout Gaza and a potential military offensive on Rafah in days, humanitarians are demanding international action now. The IRC reiterates its urgent call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages. All states - including the United States - should halt the transfer of arms that could be used to commit violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Gaza.
Vice President for Advocacy and Influence, Flora Alexander, said,
“For months, the ability of humanitarian actors to work in Gaza has been severely inhibited by the Israeli military's widespread bombardment of the area. Our Emergency Medical Teams and fellow humanitarians are trying to keep up with escalating numbers of patients suffering from airstrike injuries.
Israeli bombardment, fueled by foreign arms, has led to nearly 70% of Gaza’s homes being damaged or destroyed, leaving 70% of the population forcibly displaced, no hospitals fully functioning, and people being pushed to the verge of famine. U.S. weaponry has been used in attacks on aid workers, including on January 18th when a 1000lb “smart bomb” was fired from an F16 jet and struck an IRC and MAP Emergency Medical Team, injuring our colleagues and risking the overall operation of our response.
By May 8th, under the new National Security Memorandum 20 process, the Biden Administration must report to Congress its assessment of Israel's use of US weapons in adherence to international law and whether Israel is impeding humanitarian assistance. Twenty-one humanitarian aid organizations working on the ground in Gaza, including the IRC, have reported that humanitarian aid, including U.S.-funded aid, is consistently and arbitrarily impeded by Israel. This should not be ignored. Humanitarians are looking to the US to act in the interest of civilians - this means securing all parties’ commitment to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, it means the release of all hostages, and it means halting arms sales that could be used to commit violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”