The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the US State Department has raised concerns over human rights abuses in Israel, particularly in the Gaza Strip. The report, which runs 103 pages, documents ‘credible reports’ of more than a dozen types of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and the punishment of family members for alleged offenses by a relative.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the concerns, stating that the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues to raise deeply troubling concerns for human rights. He added that the US has condemned the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks while urging Israel to minimize civilian harm in its response.
The report highlights the ‘significant negative impact’ of the conflict on the human rights status in Israel and cites credible reports of ‘unlawful killings’ by both Hamas and the Israeli government. Blinken emphasized that the US has ‘made clear’ that Israel needs to follow international law and take every feasible precaution to protect civilians, and that the department is raising concerns about civilian deaths in Gaza during the war.
The US has also repeatedly raised concerns about humanitarian aid access in Gaza, civilian displacement, and ‘unprecedented’ journalist deaths, the report noted.
