The Gaza and West Bank Crisis from the Perspective of a Human Rights Watch Representative

Multiple reports have emerged regarding unprecedented progress in ongoing negotiations between Israel and the extremist group Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. These reports indicate Hamas's flexibility, which is recognized as a 'terrorist' group by the U.S. and Europe, in this round of negotiations. However, the Israeli army announced the commencement of the third phase of its operations in the Gaza Strip. Following this action, Hamas warned that this operation and the renewed escalation of Israeli attacks on Gaza could lead to a deadlock in the negotiations. Sari Bashi, the program director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank, stated in an interview with Radio Farda about the humanitarian situation in Gaza: 'The situation in the Gaza Strip is very difficult now, nine months after the war began. The Israeli army has recently launched intense air operations, and we are witnessing widespread attacks on Gaza at this stage.' Displacement and famine The Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip followed a surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli cities and settlements surrounding Gaza; an attack that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and over 250 hostages taken. The Israeli military operations in Gaza, with the declared aim of destroying the extremist group Hamas, have so far left more than 38,000 dead, the majority of whom are civilians. Additionally, most residents of the Gaza Strip have been displaced, forced to relocate multiple times. Sari Bashi, the director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank, told Radio Farda: 'Most residents have been forced to leave their homes. This is a continuous displacement. Once again, those who fled one part of Gaza have been asked to move to other areas. Most residents have been displaced multiple times. There is no safe place in Gaza.' Ms. Bashi also reported on the deaths of civilians while following the Israeli army's instructions to evacuate areas and the situation of 'quasi-famine' in many parts of Gaza: 'People were killed even in areas that were called 'safe' when they followed the Israeli army's evacuation orders for areas that should have been safe. A quasi-famine is also prevailing in large parts of Gaza. Deaths, especially among children, due to severe malnutrition or thirst, have been recorded.' Unprecedented violence in the West Bank Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, conditions for residents of the West Bank also worsened. The director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank stated to Radio Farda that the level of violence in this area is 'unprecedented': 'Since October 7, violence in the West Bank has increased exponentially and reached dangerous levels. Last year, the number of people killed was higher than ever before. The United Nations has files on the deaths of hundreds of people in the West Bank at the hands of Israeli forces.' Violence in the West Bank and the start of sanctions against Israeli settlers Some of this violence is attributed to settlers, to the extent that the United States and several European countries have sanctioned some settlers for violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Ms. Bashi describes the violence of settlers as follows: 'Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers. These are Israeli civilians who have been illegally settled in the West Bank and commit acts of violence that lead to the displacement of Palestinians. They go to agricultural lands and prevent Palestinians from accessing their farms or grazing lands for cattle and sheep. Sometimes they burn Palestinian tents, break the windows of their homes, and in more violent actions, kill them.' She adds: 'Israel is a country that supports violence. Because Israeli soldiers who are supposed to protect Palestinians in the West Bank sometimes do nothing and allow violence to occur. Sometimes they participate in it. We are witnessing a large number of repeated incursions by the Israeli army into Palestinian towns and villages and airstrikes on Palestinian areas.' Severe economic conditions and the closure of many centers in the West Bank The economic crisis in the war-torn region is something that can be considered 'natural.' However, what has happened to the economy of the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza is also unprecedented. The economy of this region is tied to interactions with Israel, which are now facing serious challenges. Sari Bashi, the director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank, told Radio Farda: 'The violence adds to the very difficult economic situation that Palestinian workers have faced since the start of the war. They are not allowed to reach their workplaces in Israel, which is the main source of income for people in the West Bank.' World Bank: The Palestinian Authority's budget deficit reaches $1.2 billion This situation for Palestinian workers is compounded by Israeli government pressures on the Palestinian Authority by blocking tax revenues. Ms. Bashi describes the situation as follows: 'The Israeli government has blocked a large portion of the tax revenues of Palestinians that the Palestinian Authority uses to fund public services, such as the healthcare system and schools. It is clear that with the onset of the war, the tourism industry has also come to a halt. Therefore, people are suffering economically. Schools are not functioning properly. Over the past year, a large part of the educational system was closed because teachers did not receive their full salaries, and commuting became very difficult for them.' Suppression of civil liberties by Israeli and Palestinian authorities Sari Bashi, the director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank, accuses both Israel and Palestinian officials of equally restricting civil liberties and suppressing journalists and political and social activists. In an interview with Radio Farda, she states: 'Israeli and Palestinian officials equally impose restrictions on civil society and peace-seeking political and social activists. Since October 7, arrests and inspections have increased, even for posting on Facebook or expressing opinions through other means. Palestinian authorities suppress dissenting opinions that may challenge their political dominance, both in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.' Targeting journalists in Gaza Sari Bashi tells Radio Farda that the Israeli army, in addition to preventing journalists from entering the Gaza Strip, shoots at journalists present in the area: 'The Israeli army does not allow journalists to go to Gaza. They play an important role in documenting abuses and violations of the law, so since the beginning of the war, journalists have not been allowed to go to the Gaza Strip. Journalists who were there were shot at by Israeli soldiers, despite wearing special journalist attire. I am pleased to tell you that some civil society groups are still active, and journalists continue to carry out their duties. Authorities must end the restrictions on them.' Impunity for human rights violators exacerbates the crisis The director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank believes that the root of the severe current crises in relations between Israel and the Palestinians lies in decades of impunity for human rights violators on both sides. According to Ms. Bashi, 'What is happening between Israel and the Palestinians since October 7 is the result of years and decades of horrific abuses going unpunished. The international community thinks that it should primarily focus on the peace process and political solutions. This is good, but we still witness the disregard for abuses and violations of laws.' Recognizing Palestine; Is the decision of three European countries significant? She describes Israel's 'human rights violations' against Palestinians as follows: 'For example, Israel has committed crimes against humanity against Palestinians, such as racial discrimination and persecution of Palestinians and their forced displacement. It also does not allow displaced Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to return to their homes in Israel. Severe restrictions on civil and political rights and preventing family reunification have gone unpunished for years.' Ms. Bashi also accuses armed Palestinian groups of seeking impunity despite human rights violations: 'Before October 15, for decades, armed Palestinian groups committed war crimes against Israel. They deliberately killed Israeli civilians and indiscriminately fired rockets into their residential areas. What happened on October 15 was a disaster and has no justification.' What is the solution? Sari Bashi, the director of Human Rights Watch in the West Bank, believes that the solution to this crisis lies in the enforcement of international criminal law and the cessation of arms supplies to the conflicting parties. She states: 'What the international community can do is adhere to international law. This means supporting international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, where the prosecutor has called for the issuance of arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials and Palestinian leaders. Countries around the world must also stop supplying weapons to Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Israeli military personnel.'