The Palestinians Non-Governmental Organisation Network (PNGO) vehemently condemns the tragic Al-Mawasi massacre perpetrated by Israeli forces on July 13th, 2024. Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, designated as a humanitarian zone by the Israeli army, was ruthlessly targeted by the IOF, resulting in a massacre that claimed hundreds in casualties of innocent individuals. This appalling act follows a previous attack on June 21st, 2024, underscoring a pattern of egregious violence in the region.
The timing of this massacre, immediately following the authorization of a significant weapons shipment by the Biden administration to Israel, raises serious concerns. These weapons, including 1,700 500-pound bombs withheld earlier due to fears of civilian casualties, have now been utilized in an assault that deliberately targeted a food distribution Center —a place dedicated to providing food to the most vulnerable amidst an ongoing famine in Gaza Strip.
Moreover, the severe strain on Gaza's remaining operational hospitals, which lack the capacity to treat the escalating number of injured, has further exacerbated the death toll.
In light of this horrendous massacre, and the widespread famine we call for the following actions to be urgently undertaken:
- Imposition of an immediate arms embargo on Israel: The international community must cease all arms sales and transfers to Israel to prevent further bloodshed and human suffering.
- Issuance of international arrest warrants against Israeli government and military leaders: Those responsible for ordering and executing such heinous attacks must be held accountable for their actions under international law.
- Declaration that any state or entity supplying arms to Israel is complicit in war crimes: Governments and entities providing military support to Israel must be recognized as accomplices in the perpetration of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
It is imperative that swift and decisive action is taken to halt the further loss of life and ensure justice for the victims of the Al-Mawasi massacre. We urge the international community to stand together in condemning these atrocities and working towards a just and lasting peace in the region.
PNGO is the leading Palestinian civil society organizations’ coalition, consisting of 132 organizations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
