From Syria to Gaza, Israel's military aggression is breaching international agreements with no repercussions.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from YouTube video by user SyriaTV showing the national dialogue convened by Syria's new government. Fair use.

On February 25, 2025, as Syria's new government convened a national dialogue to chart the nation's future post-conflict, Israel launched extensive military operations reaching the southern outskirts of Damascus. 

This aggressive move coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent declaration that Israel would not permit Syrian military forces south of Damascus, effectively demanding the demilitarization of southern Syria. Netanyahu emphasized, “We will not allow forces of the HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus. We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida.” 

Netanyahu also expressed intentions to place Syria’s Druze community in these areas, including those in the occupied Golan Heights, under Israeli “protection,” a statement that has raised concerns among the Druze population, who view it as unwarranted interference, condemning the invasion of Syrian lands.

The Israeli airstrikes targeted military installations in Kiswah, near Damascus, and in the southern province of Deraa. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed these operations, stating they were a preemptive measure to prevent Syrian regime forces and affiliated groups from establishing a foothold in the designated security zone.

Destabilizing Syria

These actions by Israel have been interpreted as attempts to destabilize Syria's rebuilding efforts during a pivotal moment of national reconstruction. 

Journalist Monica Marks wrote on X:

Let’s recall that Israel bombed Damascus on the very night that Syria’s national dialogue conference vowed commitment to freedom of expression, justice & equality for all.

Destabilising Syria’s pluralist & pragmatic gains w/ military aggression is dangerously counterproductive. https://t.co/w1riYFchZg

— Monica Marks (@MonicaLMarks) February 25, 2025

The national dialogue, organized by Syria's new leadership, aimed to outline the country's political roadmap following the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The dialogue's closing statement condemned Israel's incursions and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territories.

Syrian journalist Lama Al Shami commented on X:

Israel attacking Syria the day of the National Dialogue Conference is a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and clearly planned.

A free Syria scares Israel. Anyone who still thinks the transitional government was put in place by the zionists is delusional.

— لمى (@Lama_Alshamii) February 25, 2025

The recent Israeli military operations follow a series of escalations, including the invasion of Israeli forces into a United Nations-monitored demilitarized zone within Syria after Assad's fall. Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will maintain control over this area as long as necessary to prevent the new Syrian army and associated groups from operating near its borders. 

In December 2024, immediately following the collapse of the Assad regime, Israel initiated an unprecedented bombing campaign, described as the most extensive in its history. This offensive resulted in the near-total destruction of Syria's military infrastructure, including bases and equipment, significantly weakening the nation's defense capabilities.

A heat map by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) shows the December bombing campaign:

As per @ACLEDINFO‘s latest:

• 300+ Israeli airstrikes in Syria in 2024, 1/3 post-Dec 8
• Dec 2024 strikes to exceed 2023 total
• 70%-80% of Assad's military assets destroyed in 48 hrs
• 8 villages in Quneitra, Daraa, and R. Damascus seized by Israelhttps://t.co/lboKAL2Y02 pic.twitter.com/LTIQJnyGVl

— Benjamin Fève (@BenjaminFeve) December 19, 2024

These aggressions violate the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries and represent further regional escalation as Israel continues its unmitigated expansion into neighboring countries, including the Palestinian West Bank and Lebanon.

Regional aggression

Israel's aggressive posture extends beyond Syria. In the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the West Bank, Israeli military operations have intensified. Since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, over 800 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, according to the United Nations which documented many breaches of international law by the Israeli army in the West Bank. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced from areas like the Jenin refugee camp due to ongoing military offensives.

The West Bank is governed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) which has actively arrested and, in some instances, killed Palestinians suspected of involvement with resistance groups. In January 2025, the PA launched a significant crackdown on the Jenin refugee camp resulting in civilian casualties, including the death of a young woman and journalism student, Shatha Sabbagh, sparking public outrage.

Furthermore, the humanitarian impact of the Israeli war on Gaza has been catastrophic. The war, which the ICJ ruled was a plausible case of genocide, has led to the displacement of approximately 1.9 million people, accounting for about 90 percent of Gaza's population. The extensive destruction has left many without homes, with 92 percent of residences either severely damaged or destroyed. 

Despite a fragile ceasefire established in January 2025, tensions remain high. Recent agreements between Israel and Hamas involved the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of deceased prisoners in exchange for the release of over Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has breached this agreement in the last round of exchanges by failing to release around 600 Palestinian prisoners and by obstructing the entry of mobile homes and other humanitarian necessities meant to alleviate the suffering of the displaced population in Gaza. As a result, several Palestinian children have reportedly died from cold exposure in recent days.

International condemnation

The international community has expressed concern over Israel's actions. The Syrian Network for Human Rights condemned the incursions into Syrian territory, while the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed serious concern about the use of “unlawful lethal force” in Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Human rights organizations have criticized the displacement of civilians — the largest since 1967 — and the destruction of infrastructure, calling for accountability and adherence to international law.

However, with the continued support of the United States, particularly under President Donald Trump's administration which has extended his predecessor's support of Israel’s war efforts, Israel's policies have faced limited international repercussions. The US has maintained its backing of Israel, applying pressure on neighboring countries to align with strategies that critics describe as amounting to “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinian populations in Gaza and the West Bank. 

Israel's recent military actions in Syria, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territories have escalated regional tensions and exacerbated humanitarian crises. The timing of these operations, coinciding with Syria's national dialogue and ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, suggests a strategic effort to assert dominance and influence over the region, taking advantage of an international climate of impunity that threatens the relevance of international law worldwide. The international community's response remains divided, with calls for restraint and accountability juxtaposed against geopolitical alliances and interests.

Written by Walid El Houri

Decades of agreements and water-sharing deals have often exacerbated tensions rather than resolving them

Originally published on Global Voices

View of the Euphrates River in Turkey in 1994 with the recently completed Ataturk Dam and resultant reservoir. Picture uploaded to Flickr by NASA Johnson. CC BY-NC 2.0

This post by Mohamed Yousry, was first published in Arabic by Raseef 22* on February 15, 2025. This edited version was translated into English and published on Global Voices as part of a content-sharing agreement. 

The West Asia and North Africa region is facing a water scarcity crisis. About 60 percent of the region's population lives in areas of severe water stress. According to recent reports, the International Water Management Institute has warned that climate change in the region will cause more water stress in the coming years. 

In an attempt to solve the problem of water scarcity, many Arab countries have, in recent decades, moved towards concluding freshwater sharing agreements with their neighbors. What are these agreements? What are the most important provisions contained in them? And how are these agreements linked to political and economic conditions?

Water agreements between Iraq and Turkey

Many disputes have occurred between Ankara and Baghdad over the division of the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. As is known, the two rivers originate in Turkey and flow for a long distance in both countries before flowing into Syrian territory.

In 1946, Iraq signed a friendship and good neighborliness treaty with Turkey, to which six protocols were attached; the first protocol included a number of rules regulating the use of the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and their tributaries.

Later, the two countries agreed on a number of similar protocols in the 1970s, 1980, and 2021, respectively, but the water problem remained and was not resolved.

In April 2024, Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced, during a joint press conference with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the signing of an agreement on water resources management between the two countries that will extend for 10 years.

The agreement also included an invitation to Turkish companies to cooperate in the infrastructure of irrigation projects, implement projects to exchange expertise, and use modern irrigation systems and technologies.

Despite the official welcome of the agreement, most of its provisions were rejected by some Iraqi border and international water experts, who saw it as unclear and “very vague,” and that it “was formulated in a way that allows the Turkish side to evade it.”What's more, the agreement did not specify the percentage or quantity of water that would be released to Iraq.

The Nile's Entebbe Agreement

The water shares obtained by the Nile Basin countries were organized under several agreements concluded at different times in the twentieth century. The most prominent of these agreements are the 1902, 1929, and 1959 agreements. Under these agreements, Egypt was granted 55.5 billion cubic meters of Nile water, while 18.5 billion cubic meters were allocated to Sudan.

In May 2010, controversy erupted over these agreements between the upstream and downstream countries, after five of the river’s upstream countries — Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda — decided to sign the Nile Basin Legal Framework Agreement in the Ugandan city of Entebbe, known in the media as the Entebbe Agreement. The agreement called for equal distribution among the Nile Basin countries, without taking into account the population, demographics, and development conditions of each country. The agreement confirmed that it would enter into force 60 days after it was ratified by six of the member states.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Guba, Ethiopia in 2019. Copernicus Sentinel image by Pierre Markuse. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0

Former Egyptian minister of irrigation Mohamed Nasr Allam said in 2010 that Egypt will take all necessary measures to confirm to all international organizations that this agreement is “against international law, not binding on Egypt, and represents an infringement on its water rights.” He also indicated that Egypt will resort to international law to preserve its historical rights in the Nile River.

Recently, the debate over the Entebbe Agreement has returned to the forefront once again, after the Republic of South Sudan announced its ratification of the terms of the agreement. 

This cannot be separated from the growing Egyptian–Sudanese concerns in recent years that followed Ethiopia's construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. All of these measures come together to create a state of military tension between Egypt and Ethiopia, which has become clear recently.

UAE, Jordan and Israel: Water for electricity agreement

In 1994, a peace treaty was signed between Amman and Tel Aviv, making Jordan the second Arab country, after Egypt, to establish official relations with the State of Israel. 

In November 2021, at Expo 2020 Dubai, Israeli energy minister Karin Elharrar and Jordanian water and irrigation minister Mohammad Al-Najjar signed a declaration of intent to cooperate in the production of electricity from solar energy and water desalination between Jordan and Israel.  

The declaration stipulated that Jordan, which suffers from a shortage of fresh water while having a great potential for generating electricity from solar energy, would generate electricity from solar energy for Israel, while Tel Aviv, which relies on desalination for most of its water supply, would work to desalinate 200 million cubic meters of water annually for Jordan. 

One year later, the two parties advanced in the negotiations, after the three countries, namely the UAE, Jordan and Israel, signed a new agreement on the water and energy project, on the sidelines of the climate conference held in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh, in November 2022.

According to the agreement, “the UAE will build a desalination plant in Israel to supply Jordan with water, and at the same time, the UAE will build a huge solar farm in the Jordanian desert, which will provide a percentage of Israel's electricity consumption.”

In November 2023, Jordan decided to freeze the electricity supply to Tel Aviv, in response to the war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Jordan asked to extend the agreement for Israel to supply water to Jordan for five years, a request that was met with a reluctant approval for a six months extension due to US pressure.

Water from Iran to Kuwait

Kuwait is another country that relies on desalination of seawater to obtain fresh water. At the beginning of the new millennium, Iran offered to supply Kuwait with the largest amount of its water needs by implementing some huge projects in the Gulf.

In December 2003, the two countries signed an agreement to transfer fresh water from Iran to Kuwait in Tehran, where it was agreed that Iran would transfer 900 thousand cubic meters of potable water daily to Kuwait.

The project consisted of a wide network of pipelines extending from northwestern Iran in the Ahvaz region, specifically from the Karun River at the Karkheh Dam, after which the pipeline would continue to Iranian cities, such as Muhammarah and Abadan, until it crossed the waters of the Arabian Gulf by extending a marine pipeline that avoided passing through Iraqi territory, eventually reaching Kuwait. 

The initial agreement stipulated that the project would take 30 years, and its expected budget reached more than USD 1.5 billion. However, as expected, and in conjunction with the issuance of hostile statements exchanged between Iran and the Gulf states, the project sparked widespread controversy in Kuwaiti political circles, and positions and reactions varied between supporters and opponents. 

In July 2006, Kuwait officially announced that the negotiations to implement the project had been permanently suspended, due to the political circumstances in the region, especially with regard to the situation in Iraq and the Iranian nuclear file.

Written by Raseef22

Morocco’s normalization with Israel secured US recognition of its claim over Western Sahara

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from the video “Palestine Action – a year of direct action against Elbit Systems UK” showing direct actions against premises connected to Elbit Systems in the UK. Uploaded to YouTube by Real Media. Fair use.

A recent weapons deal between Morocco and Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems has provoked wide condemnation both domestically and internationally, bringing to the forefront discussions about Elbit Systems’ role in war crimes in Palestine, and Morocco’s normalization with Israel at a time when the latter is facing a genocide case brought against it at the International Court of Justice.

The strategic partnership makes Israel's Elbit Systems Morocco’s primary arms supplier, replacing France as the country’s traditional supplier and making Israel the third largest weapons supplier to Morocco.

‘Battle-tested’ or used in war crimes?

In early February 2025, Morocco finalized a deal to acquire 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled artillery systems from Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons technology company. 

This decision marked a departure from Morocco's previous reliance on French military equipment, specifically the Caesar howitzers produced by KNDS France. Reports indicate that operational issues with the French systems and delayed responses to technical complaints prompted Morocco to seek alternatives, leading to the selection of Elbit's “battle-tested” artillery systems.

However, the issue is that Elbit’s systems have been tested in battlegrounds that have witnessed severe war crimes, including being described as an active genocide by leading human rights and genocide experts. 

Since normalizing ties under the Abraham Accords in 2020 seen as part of a broader realignment in the region, Morocco has become a major customer of Israel’s arms industry with several high-profile military deals.

X user Naks Bilal wrote: 

Shameless and extremely disappointing that Morocco would seek to deepen its ties with Israel’s defence industry at a time when the IDF has committed a slew of atrocities against Palestinians relying on the same company Morocco inked a deal w/, Elbit.https://t.co/DNVVqo7x2T

— Naks Bilal (@NaksBilal) February 9, 2025

The US-brokered deal saw the latter recognize Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, where the Polisario Front is seeking the end of Moroccan occupation and independence of the territory often described as the “last colony in Africa.” This US recognition, followed by France in 2024, was a significant diplomatic victory for Morocco, which has been criticized for human rights violations in the territory.

A short history of large deals

In February 2022, Morocco signed a USD 500 million agreement with Israel to acquire the Barak MX air and missile defense system, produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to be added to several other deals worth millions of dollars signed after the accords between the two countries. 

In June the same year, another deal was signed with Elbit Systems worth approximately USD 70 million in June to supply the country with advanced electronic warfare (EW) and signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems under its Alinet program to be implemented over two and a half years.

A year later, it was reported that Israel is in negotiations to export Merkava main battle tanks for the first time, with Morocco and Cyprus identified as potential buyers. While discussions with Cyprus have reportedly progressed without complications, the Moroccan deal was described as more complex.

This sale of Merkava tanks to Morocco was linked to a previous diplomatic dispute, replacing T-72B tanks that were transferred to Ukraine without Rabat’s consent through a deal facilitated by the Czech weapons company Excalibur Army. This breach of contract reportedly prompted Israel to step in with an offer to supply Morocco with Merkava tanks, potentially as compensation for the unauthorized transfer.

User Palmedia posted on X: 

Shame on Morocco where you can be put in prison for protesting Gaza genocide:

Morocco has awarded a contract to Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems for 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery pieces, replacing its previous supplier KNDS France. pic.twitter.com/YcTuawQ89J

— PalMedia (@PalMediaOrg) February 10, 2025

Beyond arms sales, Elbit Systems had plans to open two factories in the country, as confirmed by Shai Cohen, head of Israel’s liaison office in Rabat. However, these plans were put on hold following the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Elbit Systems: A profile

Elbit Systems Ltd., established in 1966, is Israel's largest private arms contractor. The company specializes in a wide array of military technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electronic warfare systems, and advanced artillery. Elbit's products are extensively utilized by the Israeli army and have been exported to numerous countries worldwide. The company promotes its equipment as “battle-tested,” a term that has sparked controversy due to the contexts in which these systems have been employed.

Elbit Systems has faced significant criticism for its involvement in conflicts, particularly concerning allegations of war crimes during operations in Gaza. Human rights organizations have accused the company of supplying equipment used in military actions that have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure. 

Additionally, Elbit has been implicated in the construction and maintenance of surveillance systems used along the US–Mexico border, raising concerns about the company's role in global surveillance and human rights implications.

Numerous protests have targeted Elbit Systems’ premises, especially in the UK, where several activists have faced charges for doing so. In August 2024, seven members of Palestine Action were charged with offenses including burglary and violent disorder following a protest at an Elbit Systems site near Bristol, resulting in approximately GBP 1 million (around USD 1.26 million) in damages.

UN human rights experts have expressed concern over these prosecutions, particularly regarding the misuse of counter-terrorism measures against activists.

Additionally, internal government documents suggest that Israeli embassy officials attempted to influence UK court cases related to the prosecution of these protesters.

Unethical military entanglements 

The Abraham accords and relations with Israel were met with criticism in Morocco, with former prime minister Abdelilah Benkirane, calling for Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani, who signed the agreement, to resign. The criticism against the accord comes from Islamic, nationalist and leftist groups, as well as human rights movements. 

Last year, Rabat was also criticized for reportedly allowing a ship carrying arms bound to Israel to dock and resupply in the port of Tangier as it made its way from the US, after Spain refused the vessel permission to use its ports, which sparked protests in the kingdom:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Palestinian Youth Movement (@palestinianyouthmovement)

Critics argue that these moves betray Morocco's historical support for Palestinian rights and could entangle the nation in unethical military engagements when it coincides with heightened tensions and severe allegations on the international stage, especially with the recent statements by US president Donald Trump, perceived as endorsing ethnic cleansing in Gaza, and a preliminary ruling by the International Court of Justice suggesting Israel's actions in Gaza could be investigated as possible genocide. 

Written by Walid El Houri

WANA nations are diversifying trade away from the US, but Trump’s economic and military pressures raise tensions, threatening to turn economic rivalry into conflict.

Originally published on Global Voices

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after signing a joint statement in April 2023 on the restoration of diplomatic relations, with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in the background. Photo by Mehr News Agency. Source: Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 4.0.

Over the past 25 years, the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region has undergone a significant transformation in its global trade relationships. Once heavily dependent on Western markets, particularly the United States and Europe, many WANA countries have diversified their economic partnerships, with China emerging as a dominant trading partner. 

This shift reflects broader global economic trends and strategic realignments as nations seek to reduce reliance on traditional partners and explore new economic opportunities. With US trade decisions under new President Donald Trump pushing towards a global trade war, and other positions threatening actual violent war and ethnic cleansing, WANA countries are likely to find themselves in the middle of this storm. 

The rise of China

China has significantly increased its trade footprint in the WANA region over the last two decades. In 2022, bilateral trade volume between China and WANA countries reached USD 469 billion, a sharp rise from around USD 17 billion in 2000, at which time the volume with the US was compared to USD 68 billion, according to data from the World Bank’s World Integrated Trade Solutions. This makes China the largest trading partner for several WANA economies, particularly in the energy sector.

Saudi Arabia, for example, has left behind its traditional reliance on US markets, with China becoming its primary oil importer when Saudi oil exports to China exceeded those to the US in 2010, illustrating a shift in trade patterns. The kingdom has taken steps to reduce reliance on the US dollar. In early 2022, Riyadh signaled openness to trading in alternative currencies, a potential indicator of de-dollarization in global oil markets. 

Meanwhile, Iran has also emerged as a key strategic trade partner for China. According to the Iran Open Data Centre, “China's share of Iran's trade surged from less than 2% in 2000 to approximately one-third in 2022.” In contrast, European partners — Germany, France, and Italy — once held a 20 percent share in 1997, but this has now dropped to less than 3 percent. 

The center attributes this shift to “sanctions, geopolitical shifts, and the rise of Asian economic power,” in addition to the fact that China’s rapid economic growth and the Belt and Road Initiative have provided Iran with alternative markets and investment opportunities. However, “Iran’s growing dependence on China carries both economic and geopolitical implications,” according to the center. 

Despite the growing influence of China, the United States remains a significant economic partner in the WANA region. In 2022, US trade volume with WANA countries still amounted to approximately USD 161 billion with the global hegemon maintaining strong commercial relationships with Gulf countries, Egypt, and Israel, often reinforced by military and defense agreements. 

Who is dependent on the US and who is looking elsewhere?

Several countries continue to be dependent on the US. But while the US continues to hold economic influence in the region, certain countries are more dependent than others. 

Trump’s latest threats to withhold billions in annual aid to Egypt and Jordan — unless they support his plan to forcibly displace Palestinians and turn Gaza into a massive real estate project — expose these countries’ strategic dependence on US funds through military aid and economic assistance. 

However, Egypt is actively diversifying its trade portfolio, developing closer economic ties with China in recent years. Beijing has invested in key Egyptian infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Trade between China and Egypt reached around USD 18 billion in 2022, double its trade volume with the US, according to data from WITS. In the case of Jordan however, its trade volume with both the US and China has remained comparable since 2000, according to the same data. 

While the UAE and Israel maintain deep security ties with the US, with their economies, particularly in defense and technology, being closely linked to Washington, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar and Turkey are actively expanding their trade partnerships with China and other Asian markets to reduce reliance on the US. 

Both Iraq and Qatar are moving closer to China, especially in the energy sector, aligning their exports with China’s growing demand. This is evident in Qatar recently signing long-term LNG supply agreements with China, while the latter is the largest buyer of Iraqi oil, amounting to 35 percent of its total exports, making Iraq its third biggest supplier of oil after Russia and Saudi Arabia.  Turkey has also been exploring alternatives to US dollar-based trade, aligning with Russia and China on economic cooperation.

China’s economic ascent vs. US military dominance

The past 25 years have seen a remarkable transformation in WANA trade relations. While the US remains a major economic and strategic partner, especially due to its military presence and weapons sales, China’s rapid economic rise has reshaped trade dynamics across the region. Countries that were once heavily dependent on the US are now diversifying their partnerships, seeking alternative markets and sources of investment.

As Trump’s trade policies continue to evolve, impacting both US allies and adversaries, the balance of power in the WANA region is poised for further shifts. The expanding economic influence of China, coupled with efforts by some WANA countries to de-dollarize and strengthen ties with the global majority, signals a move toward a more multipolar trade environment than at the start of the millennium.

However, this economic realignment faces a significant counterforce in the form of US military dominance including through its key ally, Israel. With Washington and Tel Aviv willing to use military power — unchecked by international law or the UN — the rise of China’s economic footprint in the region may increasingly collide with US strategic interests, pushing the region towards potential increase in violence.

Written by Walid El Houri

The steps outlined reflect the growing frustration in the global majority over what is perceived as Western double standards regarding international law.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from the inauguration video of the Hague Group. Published on YouTube by Progressive International.

This article was originally published in the New Arab on January 31, 2025. This edited version is republished on Global Voices as part of a content partnership agreement. 

Delegations from nine countries gathered in The Hague on Friday to unveil “co-ordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic measures” aimed at holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law, amid mounting threats against the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In response to pressure from the US Congress, which has sought to sanction the ICC, nine countries — Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, and Malaysia — are forming a coalition known as The Hague Group to defend the legitimacy of international legal institutions and their rulings.

This initiative comes as both the ICC and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) face significant challenges to their authority in cases relating to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

“The Hague Group is born of necessity,” said Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, a coordinator with the political organisation Progressive International. “In a world where powerful nations act with impunity, we must stand together to defend the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: “Israel’s violations go beyond the mass murder and persecution of Palestinians. They strike at the very foundations of international law, which the global community had a duty to defend.”

The Hague Group nations are convening in the Netherlands, home of the ICC, to discuss collective action at both national and international levels, supporting international law and Palestinian rights during the ongoing crisis.

These discussions build upon previous actions by these countries, including Belize and Bolivia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel. In January 2024, Chile referred the situation in Palestine to the ICC and recalled its ambassador from Israel. Colombia has suspended weapons purchases from and coal exports to Israel, in addition to cutting diplomatic ties. Honduras has consistently condemned Israel's genocide against Palestinians, while Malaysia has imposed a maritime ban preventing Israel-affiliated vessels from docking at its ports. It has never had diplomatic relations with Israel.

‘The world cannot stand by and watch’

Namibia has further reinforced these efforts by blocking a vessel carrying military shipments bound for Israel and condemning Germany’s decision to support Israel in South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ, drawing parallels to Berlin's own Herero genocide in Namibia, committed by Germany between 1904 and 1908.

Senegal, under Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has pledged to take “more concrete actions” in support of Palestinian rights.

South Africa set a major legal precedent by bringing a case against Israel at the ICJ for violations of the Genocide Convention.

“Our actions are not punitive. They are preventative, designed to ensure compliance with international law and to protect the vulnerable,” said South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, in a joint statement.

Progressive International shared the inaugural first statement of the group In a post on Blue Sky:

BREAKING The Inaugural Joint Statement of The Hague Group.

https://buff.ly/40E8yRF

[image or embed]

— Progressive International (@progintl.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 9:38 AM

Sinn Fein support

From Ireland, Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney also announced his plans to travel to The Hague to support the nine-nation bloc.

“‘The Hague Group’ is a watershed moment in developing coordinated international state action against the use of genocide, occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people,” Kearney said in a statement.

The formation of ‘The Hague Group’ is a hugely significant development. It is a decisive initiative aimed at maximising international pressure for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel until the genocide ends, Palestinian national sovereignty and self-determination are secured, and an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is established.

‘Limited’ international action

Switzerland has been tasked with convening a conference in March for the 196 signatories of the Geneva Convention, focusing on the obligation to uphold international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Another conference is scheduled for June in New York to discuss a two-state solution.

Additionally, the ICJ has been asked by the UN General Assembly to provide an urgent advisory opinion on Israel's obligations as the occupying power, particularly regarding humanitarian relief efforts.

Critics argue that such countermeasures remain limited, saying that Israel routinely disregards ICJ and ICC rulings.

Under former president Joe Biden, the United States gave near-unlimited military and diplomatic support to Israel as it killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, suggesting that it had little regard for international law.

The new Trump administration has signalled that it will be even more pro-Israel than the previous government, lifting sanctions on Israeli settlers and approving the delivery of 2,000 pound bombs to Israel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed a bill currently before Congress that would impose sanctions on any individual or entity engaging with an ICC investigation involving a US ally. The proposed measures would extend to family members of those targeted.

Written by The New Arab

Ceasefire in Gaza follows record civilian casualties, widespread destruction, and global outrage over Israel’s war crimes and accusations of genocide.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from video posted on YouTube by Aljazeera Arabic showing Palestinians celebrating the announcement of the ceasefire. Fair use.

After 466 harrowing days of war, a ceasefire was finally declared, set to take effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025. This would mark the end of a devastating war that had seen unprecedented destruction and loss of life in Gaza. The announcement followed multiple United Nations resolutions, International Criminal Court (ICC) warrants against Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, an International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing Israel of genocide, and multiple reports by the UN and humanitarian organizations about genocide, war crimes, starvation, systematic targeting of hospitals, children, schools, and humanitarian aid. Despite these efforts, the war shattered records for civilian casualties — including journalists, United Nations workers, and medics — amputee children, and scale of destruction.

The ceasefire — brokered by Qatar and guaranteed by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States — was announced by Qatar’s foreign minister on Wednesday, January 15. This agreement comes just days before the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on January 20, effectively allowing Israel to continue its bombardment until the Biden administration’s last day. Ironically, the terms of the ceasefire are nearly identical to those that have been on the negotiating table for the past eight months.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further delayed the cabinet meeting to approve the ceasefire. The delays came amid the rejection by parts of his ruling coalition of any talk of stopping the war and demands for guarantees that fighting will resume after the first phase. This also comes after Israeli strikes on Gaza killed 86 people in the day since the announcement.

The ceasefire agreement

According to details published in various media outlets, the ceasefire will unfold in phases. The initial six-week phase includes a limited prisoner exchange, the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and an influx of humanitarian aid into the enclave. Subsequent phases — agreed to in principle — will be negotiated during this initial period.

Despite global relief at the ceasefire, skepticism remains. Israel has intensified its bombing campaigns in the lead up to the cessation of hostilities, raising fears for the immediate future with the Guardian reporting 70 Palestinians killed by Israel in the hours after the announcement. Following the ceasefire announcement, reports emerged of Israel escalating its bombardment of Gaza City. The Palestinian Civil Defence confirmed that residential blocks in northern Gaza were being targeted, with rescue crews struggling to reach those in need. 

Human toll and record-breaking destruction

The statistics from this war are staggering. As per the Gaza Government Media Office, 1,600 families have been entirely wiped off the civil registry. Casualty figures include 17,841 children, 12,298 women, and 1,068 medics. An estimated 202 journalists have also been killed. Beyond the human cost, the conflict has decimated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving 161,600 residential units destroyed and 34 hospitals non-operational. The psychological and social toll is equally devastating, with 35,074 children losing both parents and 109,274 individuals wounded.

A peer-reviewed study recently published in the prestigious medical journal the Lancet, claims that the real numbers of casualties are 40 percent higher than recorded by the Palestinian authorities, putting them at over 64,000 killed, around 3 percent of the total pre-war population.

This death toll includes only deaths from traumatic injuries, and not from other causes such as lack of health care or food, or the thousands of missing people believed to be buried under rubble.

Another study published earlier in the same journal included indirect deaths, which usually range from three to 15 times the number of direct deaths, and putting the number, in July 2024, at already 186,000 killed. 

Voices from Gaza and beyond

Gaza’s residents reacted with a mix of relief, exhaustion, and determination, with thousands taking to the streets to celebrate. 

This sentiment was reflected in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Gaza Notifications: “We, the steadfast—young and old, men and women—will remove the rubble and rebuild it with pride.”

“We will rebuild Gaza, and it will become even more beautiful than before,” said a Gazan woman following the announcement of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Demonstrating unwavering determination, she added, “We, the steadfast—young and old, men and women—will remove the… pic.twitter.com/CaVlUZLCa8

— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) January 15, 2025

 Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad captured the global sentiment succinctly in an Instagram post: “On a random Wednesday, the world decided that they had enough of Palestinian blood.” Her words reflect the frustration of many who feel that the international community’s intervention came far too late.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Plestia Alaqad | بلستيا العقاد (@plestia.alaqad)

Meanwhile, another journalist, Aljazeera’s Anas Alsharif, celebrated the ceasefire by removing his protective gear in a widely shared video.

love how the reporter starts taking off his press gear as he announces a ceasefire agreement and the crowd erupts in cheers as they help him take his jacket off and one of the guys puts him on his shoulders to celebrate pic.twitter.com/k9YbhbyoS5

— سماح | samah (@samah_fadil) January 15, 2025

Reactions from the United States and Israel

In the United States, both outgoing president Joe Biden and incoming president Donald Trump claimed credit for the ceasefire. However, Trump’s pressure was instrumental in pushing the deal through. Israeli reactions were mixed. While some welcomed the agreement, others viewed it as capitulation to external pressure, particularly from Trump. Noga Tarnopolsky, an Israeli journalist, reported disappointment among those who believed the war should have continued.

Stunned like the true believer he is, Netanyahu proxy @ErelSegal laments: “We're the 1st to pay a price for Trump's election. [The deal] is being forced upon us… We thought we'd take control of northern Gaza, that they'd let us impede humanitarian aid” pic.twitter.com/VrbDYE8KJ2

— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي (@NTarnopolsky) January 13, 2025

International response

Globally, the ceasefire was met with cautious optimism. Many world leaders welcomed the cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. However, skepticism looms large. With past ceasefires having been short lived, there is fear that this agreement could follow a similar trajectory. 

UN Secretary General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire as a “critical first step” saying that “It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid across Gaza so that we can support a major increase in urgent life saving humanitarian support,” and warning that “the humanitarian situation is at catastrophic levels.”

The path forward

As Gaza begins to grapple with the possible aftermath of this devastating war, critical issues remain unresolved and many questions unanswered. These include justice for victims, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the broader peace process and the future of Palestinians and Palestine. The toll of this conflict — in lives lost, infrastructure destroyed, and psychological trauma inflicted — is a grim reminder of the need for lasting solutions and a just peace. Rebuilding Gaza will require not just material aid but also a commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict and bringing justice and accountability for widely documented war crimes. 

The ICJ’s role in pursuing justice remains an open question, particularly given its recent leadership changes after its current president, Lebanese judge Nawaf Salam was appointed prime minister in Lebanon and is set to be replaced by the vice president, Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde, criticized for pro-Israel rulings and raising concerns about impartiality in future legal proceedings.

The international community must also grapple with its role in preventing future atrocities. As the ceasefire takes effect, the spotlight remains on Gaza, where the scars of war are evident in every destroyed home, every grieving family, and every maimed child. The coming weeks and months will test the resolve of the international community to uphold human rights and ensure accountability for the horrific crimes committed and documented against the Palestinians.

Written by Walid El Houri

The events of 2024 have reshaped the WANA region amid wars, political upheavals, and climate disasters.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from a video showing Israel's mass destruction in Gaza. Video uploaded to X by user @qudsn. Fair use.

As 2024 draws to a close, the region of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) has endured a year of extraordinary upheaval, marked by devastating conflicts, political transformations, and the enduring impacts of global challenges from new war technologies to climate crisis. From the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza and the West Bank to the collapse of regimes and the emergence of new power structures in the region and the world, this year’s events will leave a lasting personal and global imprint.

Israel’s unrestrained wars

Israel’s brutal war on Gaza and its violent encroachment in the West Bank intensified in 2024, leading to unprecedented destruction and loss of life, and warning of a new era of unrestrained technologies eroding the rules of war. Gaza is almost completely destroyed, with death tolls reaching tens of thousands, with some medical estimates putting the numbers as high as in the hundreds of thousands. The West Bank faced expanded settlement activity, violent crackdowns, and mass displacements.

Read our special coverage: Israel's war on Gaza

With the failure of the international community to stop the horrors and restrain the Israeli government, international human rights organizations condemned Israel's actions as war crimes, though global powers remained largely paralyzed. The Israeli bombing of Lebanon, surpassing the horrors of past invasions and campaigns, further destabilized the region with civilians bearing the brunt of these attacks, fueling anger and solidarity across the world.

Israel also assassinated iconic figures that have marked the region for decades, with Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s charismatic leader, Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar likely the most prominent of them.

The ICJ, ICC, UN, and the global majority

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced mounting pressure to hold Israel accountable for war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite widespread calls for justice, the courts’ ability to act was hampered by political resistance from Western powers, whose complicity in enabling these actions fueled global outrage. The paralysis of international legal institutions underscored the fragility of the post-World War II order and prompted calls for alternative mechanisms to enforce international law.

In response, the global majority emerged as a powerful bloc challenging Western dominance in global governance. Countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America intensified their calls for a multipolar world order, denouncing the West’s failure to uphold international law and role in destabilizing the world. This shift was evident in initiatives such as expanded BRICS membership and a renewed push for cooperation between global majority countries, signaling a realignment of geopolitical alliances.

Breaking the wrong kinds of records

Israel’s wars in 2024 also broke unprecedented records in targeting journalists, medical workers, and United Nations staff. Media watchdogs reported an alarming surge in journalist fatalities, with many killed while documenting war crimes. Medical personnel faced relentless attacks as hospitals and clinics were bombed, violating international humanitarian law. UN agencies operating in the region suffered devastating losses, with staff killed and facilities destroyed. Simultaneously, the deepening famine in Gaza, fuelled by blockades and infrastructure destruction, highlighted the systematic dismantling of civilian life. Israel’s consistent dismissal of UN resolutions and international legal standards underscored a pattern of impunity, further eroding the credibility of global institutions tasked with upholding peace and justice.

Shocking numbers emerged, including unprecedented killing of children in Gaza, which surpassed already by March 2024, the number of children killed worldwide in at least four years. The number of journalists killed by Israel in 2024 exceeded those in any previous war, while record numbers of UN staff were also targeted. In a striking precedent, Israel declared a UN institution a terrorist group, escalating its war on the international body.

Read our special coverage: A region on the brink: The global implications of the war on Gaza

The Forgotten War: Sudan

While global attention fixated on the war on Gaza and its connected wars in Lebanon, Sudan’s war remained underreported despite its catastrophic toll. In El Fasher and beyond, local medical teams struggled heroically amid international aid withdrawals. The war’s consequences deepened the severe humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and exacerbating famine with no end in sight.

With tens of thousands killed in the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias since April 2023, the war has led to the biggest displacement crisis in the world with an estimated 11 million people displaced. With large parts of the country, including Darfur, and South Kordofan controlled by the RSF, the army holds onto the north and east amid rising accusations by Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations of mass rape by RSF forces.

Yemen and Iraq: Solidarity with Gaza

In Yemen, the Houthis, in solidarity with Gaza, imposed blockades on key waterways, sparking violent responses from Western allies and Israel. This confrontation intensified Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, drawing further international criticism. In Iraq as well, factions close to Iran launched their own campaign of drones on Israel in solidarity with Gaza and demanding an end to the war.

Failed elections: Tunisia, Algeria

Elections in Tunisia and Algeria signaled shifts in the political landscape. In Tunisia, opposition groups boycotted the elections, accusing the government of suppressing dissent, while voter turnout hit record lows. With only 29 percent of the electorate participating, and opposing candidates imprisoned or sidelined, incumbent president Kais Saied won with 91 percent of the vote.

Algeria’s elections, marked by 23 percent turnout, conflicting numbers, and allegations of corruption, failed to address public demands for economic and social reforms. Incumbent president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, won with 84 percent of the vote amid contestations of the results by the other candidates.

Seismic change: Syria

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria, however, was the most seismic political event. After years of brutal conflict, internal dissent within the ruling elite and increased international pressure led to the collapse of the regime. While this opened a new chapter for Syria, it also raised questions about what’s next for a country deeply scarred by war and displacement. The challenges ahead include rebuilding governance structures, addressing international involvement, and mitigating ongoing attacks by Israel, Turkey, and the US.

Read our special coverage: Forever is gone, forever: Syria after the dictatorship

An unprecedented Israeli and US airstrikes campaign immediately following the fall of the regime destroyed all the military capacity of the country with almost 500 strikes in a matter of days, coinciding with the occupation of further Syrian lands as the Israeli army reached almost 20 km from the capital Damascus. Turkey continued its occupation of northern Syria, as did the US, complicating peace efforts.

Amid these developments, Assad’s prisons saw the release of thousands of detainees, some of whom had been imprisoned for decades. The opening of these prisons known as “human slaughterhouses” underscored the need for accountability for decades of human rights abuses in Assad’s notorious dungeons.

Iran under new leadership

Iran entered a new political era with the election of Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist president after the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the previous president in a helicopter crash. Promising to alleviate sanctions and improve relations with the West, the new administration faced immediate challenges from hardliners, and public discontent over economic hardships. Israeli attacks on Iranian territory and the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, who was attending the new president’s inauguration, escalated tensions further.

The overlooked climate crisis

The region’s acute vulnerability to climate change was laid bare in 2024. Floods in Libya returned this year after killing over 11,000 people in 2023, this time displacing thousands, and exposing weak infrastructure and governance failures. Climate-related forced migration intensified, with thousands fleeing areas rendered uninhabitable by desertification and water scarcity. Across the region, these environmental crises compounded existing humanitarian challenges, demanding urgent action that remains elusive.

Arab states between absence and destabilization

Failure of Arab states to intervene in halting Israel’s wars, especially by Saudi Arabia, and alleged involvements in fueling regional conflicts drew sharp criticism. The UAE faced accusations of deepening the instability in Sudan and Yemen. Meanwhile, Qatar solidified its role as a regional mediator, facilitating talks between conflicting parties and hosting international peace efforts.

Egypt’s absence from a regional leadership role became increasingly evident as it struggled with economic crises and failure to open or control its borders with Gaza in Rafah. Protests in solidarity with Gaza were suppressed harshly, highlighting the regime’s iron grip on dissent.

The traumatic impact of war on Arab and Muslim populations

The wars and conflicts of 2024 deepened the trauma experienced by Arab and Muslim populations worldwide. Diaspora communities protested in solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan while grappling with rising Islamophobia in Europe and the US. The election of Donald Trump in the United States and the fast rise of racist far right parties in Europe amplified fears of increased anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies, compounding the anxieties of already marginalized communities who have suffered and witnessed a year of systematic dehumanization in Western media, institutions, governments, and societies.

The events of 2024 have reshaped the WANA region, leaving a trail of destruction, trauma, and transformation. The interconnected crises — from wars and political upheavals to climate disasters — highlight the urgent need for global solidarity and sustainable solutions. As the world turns its gaze to 2025 and the genocidal war on Gaza continues, the lessons of this year must not be forgotten nor should the people of Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and elsewhere.

Written by Walid El Houri

A law deeming the UN agency a ‘terror group’ raises global concerns over humanitarian missions

Originally published on Global Voices

A UNRWA building after it was shelled by the Israeli army in Gaza on January 15, 2009. Photo by ISM Palestine. Source: Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Israel has become the first country to legislate a ban against a United Nations institution, targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and declaring it a “terror group” with a near-unanimous vote of 92–10.

This unprecedented move raises profound questions: What does it mean when a global agency — recognized and funded by the majority of the world’s nations — becomes labeled as a “terrorist organization?” This designation not only undermines UNRWA’s humanitarian mission but also casts a shadow over other international agencies working to uphold human rights and peace.

A deliberate escalation

UNRWA, established in 1949, provides essential services to Palestinian refugees, including education, healthcare, and social support in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Although Israel has long criticized UNRWA, the recent legislation escalates grievances to a legislative level, prohibiting the agency's operation in Israel and controversially extending this prohibition to all areas under its occupation according to international law.

Since October 2023, Israel has been systematically destroying UNRWA buildings in Gaza, including schools sheltering displaced people, and, in May 2024, the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem was forced to close temporarily due to an attack by “Israeli extremists.”

Israeli soldiers rejoicing as a UN run school in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza blown is turned to rubble by Israel.

The UN uses their buildings to offer shelter to displaced Palestinians.

133 UN staff have been murdered by Israel.

pic.twitter.com/6VIOk3LpSw

— Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) December 12, 2023

According to Adalah Legal Centre, the laws violate the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and may breach the Genocide Convention and the ICC’s Rome Statute. This legislation threatens a vital lifeline for over 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in occupied Palestinian territory, and “represents a deliberate attempt to fundamentally undermine UNRWA and its essential mission of supporting the relief, education, and human development of Palestinian refugees.” Specifically, it aims to strip Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Nakba and the 1967 war of their refugee status and right of return. Adalah has called on the international community to hold Israel accountable.

The governments of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain, issued a joint statement criticizing the new law, calling it a “serious precedent for the work of the United Nations and for all organizations within the multilateral system.”

Worsening relations with the UN

The Knesset’s recent law highlights a rapidly deteriorating relationship between Israel and the United Nations, marking a crisis in the post-WWII order intended to safeguard peace and human rights. This legislation questions the authority of international law and the relevance of institutions meant to protect human rights, and may embolden other countries to follow suit.

In an August 2024 interview with i24News, former Israeli envoy to the UN Gilad Erdan said, “The UN building in Jerusalem needs to be closed and erased from the face of the earth.” Previously, in May 2024, Erdan gained notoriety by shredding the UN charter during his speech at the General Assembly.

Israeli ambassador to the UN pathetically brought a paper shredder to the UN General Assembly to shred the UN Charter in protest over majority resolution to expand Palestine’s “rights and privileges” at the UN. pic.twitter.com/NsOxHgMxph

— Marwa Fatafta مروة فطافطة (@marwasf) May 10, 2024

Back in July, the Knesset further reinforced its defiance with a resolution that also passed almost unanimously (68–9) rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state, contradicting the principles of the two-state solution outlined in the Oslo Accords and all relevant UN resolutions which Israel has historically ignored.

A pattern of UN defiance

Israel’s ban on UNRWA is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trajectory of antagonism toward the United Nations and its institutions. Recently, Israel declared UN Secretary-General António Guterres persona non grata, barring his entry.

This step follows numerous instances of denying entry visas to UN representatives and investigators examining human rights abuses in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel consistently rejects UN calls for investigations into alleged abuses, disregarding resolutions related to settlement expansion, military actions in Gaza, West Bank, or Lebanon.

Israel’s antagonism towards the UN extends beyond Palestinian territories. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) troops, mandated to oversee peace along the Lebanon-Israel border, have faced direct attacks, sparking condemnation. On October 12, following repeated Israeli attacks on UN peacekeeping forces in South Lebanon, 44 countries, including three UN Security Council permanent members, issued a joint statement condemning the assaults.

In May 2024, the UN Security Council passed a resolution denouncing attacks on UN staff and aid workers in conflict zones. Israel’s actions in Gaza alone have killed at least 237 UN personnel.

International responses and accountability

The international community’s response has been mixed, with some countries voicing concern over the ban’s dangerous implications for UN staff worldwide, though few have proposed significant sanctions against Israel. European nations, while condemning Israel’s treatment of UNRWA, have largely refrained from imposing economic or political sanctions. This lack of consequences raises questions about international law’s credibility, risking a shift from substance to symbolism without enforceable mechanisms.

These developments arise amid an escalation of violence, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, which risk engulfing the whole region in a larger scale war. Israeli military operations in Jabalia and northern Gaza have led to high civilian casualties and international condemnation, as the country faces genocide accusations found to be plausible by the ICJ.

Public hearings in the case South Africa v. Israel. 16-17 May. Source: International Court of Justice. Copyrights exempt.

University of London research agency Forensic Architecture has recently launched an 827 page report and interactive platform titled “A Cartography of Genocide,” meticulously documenting the impact of the war on Gaza.

NEW: ‘A Cartography of Genocide’. Since October 2023, we have collected and analysed data related to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Our findings indicate that Israel has systematically targeted all aspects of civilian life. https://t.co/UUxYqpTF72 pic.twitter.com/lpqv78S5c4

— Forensic Architecture (@ForensicArchi) October 29, 2024

UN human rights experts have warned that Israel risks becoming an international “pariah.” On the first anniversary of the October 7 war, UN experts said that “the world has seen a brutal escalation of violence, resulting in genocidal attacks, ethnic cleansing and collective punishment of Palestinians, which risks breaking down the international multilateral system.”

Israel’s hostility toward UN bodies hampers the UN’s ability to respond effectively to the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the region. With UNRWA barred from its work in areas under Israeli control, millions will further lack essential aid and services.

A dangerous precedent

Israel’s legislative ban on UNRWA can be seen as a reflection of a systemic disregard for international law. By enabling Israel’s continuous antagonism toward the UN, the global community risks weakening the institutions meant to preserve order and justice, reducing their power to act — even symbolically — in future conflicts.

This situation underscores a need for renewed commitment to international cooperation and real accountability. Without a united stance against the growing pattern of defiance, the UN and its agencies risk losing power in the missions they were created to uphold at a dangerous juncture in the planet’s history. Failing to hold Israel accountable might allow this precedent to erode the system at large and further damage the UN’s credibility after more than a year of failing to stop documented crimes that continue to be committed during its devastating war on Gaza.

Written by Walid El Houri

In just hours, Israeli airstrikes destroyed Nabatieh’s historic market and the ancient Maloula tree

Originally published on Global Voices

An angle of what remains of the ancient Nabatieh market. Screenshot from a video uploaded to X by user @fouadkhreiss

In just a few hours, two Israeli airstrikes obliterated landmarks that embodied centuries of southern Lebanon’s rich history. The region, known as Jabal Amel, has long been associated with its deep-rooted, predominantly Twelver Shia Muslim community, considered one of the oldest such communities in the world. This mountainous area, with the Litani River running through it, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and connects to Mount Lebanon, Wadi al-Taym, and the Beqaa Valley.

These attacks are not merely about claiming lives; they aim to erase the roots, culture, and livelihood of the people in both Lebanon and Palestine. This is not collateral damage — it is an intentional strategy to wipe out the soul of the land, its history, and its people.

But as thousands are killed and wounded in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Palestine and brutal attacks on Lebanon, the urgent need to save lives and cope with trauma often overshadows the devastating loss caused by the systematic destruction of heritage, memory, and history.

The heart of the south

One of the countless victims of this campaign was the historic market in Nabatieh, Jabal Amel’s largest city and a bustling center of life and commerce for generations, with buildings and shops older than Israel itself.

Nabatieh has long been a commercial and cultural hub for a region that historically connected Jordan, Palestine, Syria and southern Lebanon, a meeting point where merchants and travelers would gather, exchanging goods and stories, keeping alive the cultural and economic lifeblood of the region.

The market’s destruction is not an isolated incident but part of Israel’s longstanding strategy of targeting cultural landmarks, reflecting a colonial desire to erase the roots and memories of the people who inhabit these lands.

سوق النبطية قبل وبعد #لن_نركع pic.twitter.com/XQl0XNwU4G

— 𝓗𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓶 (@Hisham10452) October 13, 2024

Nabatieh market, before and after.
We won’t submit

According to Kamel Jaber, a local journalist who has long documented the history of his beloved city, “The destruction is so complete that it renders the souks irrecoverable. Since 1975, we have been gradually losing our heritage due to Israeli attacks, and each time, the response has been to rebuild something modern, not to recreate the old as it was.”

Countless people took to social media to document the faces and stories of this ancient market, among them Badia Hani Fahs, who wrote: 

Nabatieh’s heart has burned …
Here was the Dimasi sweets shop, the one that left Sidon long ago and settled in Nabatieh. Just a few months ago, they did a new renovation and had a fresh start.
Next to it was Kamel Jaloul’s shop, my cousin, the first men’s shoe store in the market. No groom went to his bride without wearing shoes from Jaloul.
On the corner was the Hijazi bookstore. We all bought our bags and school supplies from there for ourselves and our children. When we were young girls, we used to borrow second-hand novels for just a few liras.
Across from it was Studio Al-Amal. You’d walk in to see Al-Husseini and find photos that are 60 to 70 years old, pictures of your grandparents and their friends.
A bit further down was Baalbaki Pharmacy, run by the family who came as refugees from the Beqaa Valley. Their origins are from the Alou family, but they were given the Baalbaki name, which became their family name.
Turning left, we’d come across the pride of Nabatieh’s industry, Sultan Sweets. The smell of cleanliness, fresh cream, and extra crispy kunafa would fill the air. You couldn’t enter without being offered a sweet and a sip of water.
Continuing on, we’d pass Farol Bookstore, owned by the kind Rafaat Hatit, who fled from Kfeyoun during the Mountain War and settled in Nabatieh, keeping the same bookstore name.
Across from the bookstore were the two most important shops in the market, run by two remarkable women: Hasiba, Umm Rami Al-Amin, and Maha, wife of the activist Afif Qaddih.
Next door was Al-Mashaal Spices, owned by Ali Batata.
Going uphill, you’d find Arnout’s Falafel, the most famous falafel shop in all of the South. Arnouti was originally Albanian, and he lived in Akka, where he learned the craft of making falafel. After the Nakba, he came to Nabatieh, bringing his trade with him, and with every attack on Nabatieh, he was hit by another disaster.
Beside him was Mukhtar Hassan Jaber’s shop, which he inherited from his father, Nizar Jaber. This was the shop where you’d find anything you needed. Those who didn’t know Nizar Jaber had never seen love and kindness embodied in a man.
On the other side was Disco Al-Sha’ar, which made the market dance to the latest music trends from east to west.
This is our heart that burned, not just a block of concrete.

Ancient olive trees, historic markets, and entire communities — these are not just casualties of war but deliberate targets in a campaign to deny the people their heritage and identity.

Ancient trees, deep roots

Hours after the destruction of Nabatieh’s market, another Israeli airstrike hit the neighboring town of Mayfadoun, obliterating the Rtail family home known for its ancient Mount Tabor oak which has stood witness to the region’s history for centuries and is locally known as the Maloula tree. Towering at over 18 meters (59 feet) with a five-meter (16-foot) trunk, the Maloula tree is more than a natural relic. It holds cultural, historical, and personal significance.

According to local tradition, the tree has always been there. In 1995, Abu Rashid Rtail, one of its many caretakers throughout the centuries, recounted stories passed down from his father, who lived to be 100, and from an elder of the Najda family, who lived 115 years, both affirming that the tree had looked the same throughout their lifetimes. With a lifespan of centuries, the tree became a living monument, embodying the heritage and memory of Mayfadoun.

The municipality of Mayfadoun named the neighborhood after it —“Hay Al Maloula” — in recognition of its importance. According to Rashid Rtail, the son of Abu Rasheed, engineers who had once visited to inspect it had confirmed its remarkable age of over 500 years, estimating that it might have stood for much longer, perhaps even 1,100 years. This kind of longevity is rare, with ancient trees surviving as a result of their resistance to disease and climate.

In an interview with him in 2010, Rasheed recalls how its size was much larger before it was repeatedly targeted by Israeli artillery, destroying many of its towering branches. And with the destruction of his house “more than once due to the targeting of the Maloula, it refused to fall, even after its counterpart in the town of Deir Siryan fell during the last aggression [in the 2006 war], making it the most prominent ancient tree in the Nabatieh district.”

The tree had served as a gathering place for travelers and pilgrims heading to Nabatieh for the annual Ashura commemoration, a famous event that honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in the Battle of Karbala. Linking Nabatieh and Mayfadoun through shared traditions and standing as a silent witness to the region’s most important rituals. Its branches once hosted the laughter of children during festivals, and its shade offered rest to weary travelers and locals alike.

An Israeli airstrike on this ancient and majestic living being and the Rtail family home that stood beside it for generations reduced the house to rubble and damaged the tree that survived centuries and perhaps a millennium but might have been finally killed by this latest Israeli attack.

The heart of Mayfadoun
The house of the late Haj Toufic Rtail, father of the late Haj Rashid Rtail and Haj Mohammad Reda Rtail.
The place of the Maloula tree.

Systematic destruction

The destruction of such cultural and historical symbols speaks to a broader colonial logic. The Maloula tree, the Rtail home, and the Nabatieh market, like countless other landmarks and places, are not just physical structures; they are embodiments of the community’s endurance, history, ties and culture. Their existence defies the narrative of erasure that Israel seeks to impose. For centuries and millennia, this land has been inhabited, its people cultivating rich histories, building cities, and maintaining communities that continue to live, create, and resist.

As we mourn the loss of these irreplaceable landmarks and the heartbreaking loss of life, we find solace in the strength of memory and community. The love that binds the people to their land, their history, and one another remains unbroken. This love, this memory, will allow them to revive, rebuild, and continue to live. Places and stories exist in memory, and from that memory, the people — and nature — will rise again, as they have for generations.

Written by Walid El Houri

AI supercharges human rights violations against civilians

Originally published on Global Voices

Hebron’s Al-Shuhada Street checkpoint with at least 8 CCTV cameras and the Smart Shooter in view. Photo by AV, used with permission. 2024.

Data collection and technology can have harmful applications, especially when used to monitor and subjugate marginalized people. This can be seen most clearly in how Israel has used technology in its war against Palestinians. Israel is using data collected from Palestinians to train AI-powered automated tools that have been deployed against Gaza and across the West Bank.

Israeli AI-supercharged surveillance tools and spyware, including Pegasus, a malware program, and AI weaponry, including the Smart Shooter and Lavender, have received both condemnation and interest. Graduates of the Israeli military’s elite intelligence unit, Unit 8200, are so coveted by surveillance and military tech companies that there is a term “8200-to-tech pipeline”.

In 2024, UN experts deplored Israel’s use of AI to commit crimes against humanity in Gaza. Regardless of their ongoing use of AI for human rights violations, that same year, Israel signed a global treaty on AI developed by the Council of Europe for safeguarding human rights.

A ‘gamified’ surveillance system

Israel’s CCTV systems, called “Mabat 2000”, were first installed throughout Jerusalem in the year 2000 but have seen significant upgrades in more recent years. A 2023 report by Amnesty International mapped the visible Israeli surveillance system and found one or two cameras every five meters in Jerusalem’s Old City and Sheikh Jarrah. One Palestinian resident said, “Every time I see a camera, I feel anxious. Like you are always being treated as if you are a target.” Israeli CCTV cameras are also mounted on checkpoints and barriers and clustered on buildings and towers across the occupied West Bank.

A Palestinian home in Sheikh Jarrah, with an Israeli settlement on top. There are approximately eight CCTV cameras visible in the photo. Clusters of surveillance cameras can be identified on the pole to the right and surrounding the Star of David and Israeli flags at the top. Photo by the author, used with permission. 2024.

Since 2020, the Wolf Pack of surveillance tech has been rolled out by Israel across the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Using the app called Blue Wolf, Israel carried out a massive biometrics registry of Palestinians, often at checkpoints and by gunpoint, sometimes at people's private homes in the middle of the night.

The gendered aspect of surveillance was noted in a 2021 report by 7amleh, with one female interviewee explaining that she would sleep in her hijab, feeling that she could not experience privacy inside her home.

Israeli soldiers took pictures of Palestinians, including children, for cataloguing, and the process was gamified, giving “a weekly score based on the most amount [sic] of pictures taken. Military units that captured the most faces of Palestinians on a weekly basis would be provided rewards such as paid time away.” This tool was playfully referred to as a “Facebook for Palestinians” by Israeli soldiers.

Red Wolf is part of the CCTV facial recognition infrastructure to identify Palestinians as they pass through checkpoints and move through cities. Another app called White Wolf is available to Israelis illegally settling in the West Bank, which allows them to search the database of Palestinians. Somehow, the increased monitoring and surveillance have failed to capture the crimes committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Since October 2023, Israel has rolled out a similar facial recognition system registry of Palestinians in Gaza.

A cluster of CCTV cameras on Via Dolorosa Street in Jerusalem’s Old City. Photo taken by the author, used with permission. 2024.

AI-supercharged weapons

In 2021, Google and Amazon jointly signed an exclusive billion-dollar contract with the Israeli government to develop ‘Project Nimbus’, which is meant to advance technologies in facial detection, automated image categorization, object tracking, and sentiment analysis for military use — a move that was condemned by hundreds of Google and Amazon employees in a coalition called No Tech for Apartheid.

While many of the Big Tech companies have contracts with Israeli military and intelligence agencies, Project Nimbus has faced especially harsh criticism because of the symphony of alarms raised about Israel’s human rights violations brought forth prior to October 2023 by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Save the Children and Amnesty International.

Israeli intelligence units have been relying ever more heavily on AI tools to “rank civilians and civilian infrastructure according to their likelihood of being affiliated with militant organizations” within Gaza, speeding up the ranking process from a full year when completed by a person, to half a day by an AI tool.

AI-powered systems, ‘Lavender’ and ‘The Gospel’ (‘Hasbora’), have been designated as a “mass assassination factory” in Gaza with minimal human oversight where “emphasis is on quantity and not on quality”. Another AI-powered tool called “Where's Daddy” tracks selected Palestinians so that they would be bombed when they entered their home — also killing their families and neighbours; thousands of adults and children who were not involved in fighting have been murdered. The system identifies targets based on various criteria, one of which is whether the person is in a WhatsApp group with another suspected individual.

Social scoring technology, such as these, has been banned by the European Union.

Drone terror

Drones have been used by Israel against Palestinians for more than a decade, sometimes for surveillance and other times for strikes that have led to traumatic amputations — although drone use was considered a “well-known secret” in Israeli society for years. As early as 2009, Human Rights Watch reported on Israel’s use of armed drones in Gaza.

In 2021, Israel started deploying “drone swarms” in Gaza to locate and monitor targets. In 2022, Omri Dor, commander of Palmachim Airbase, said, “The whole of Gaza is ‘covered’ with UAVs that collect intelligence 24 hours a day.”

Since October 2023, Israel’s killing of Palestinians has increased dramatically, causing Gaza to be called a “graveyard for children” and “a living hell”. Technology has played a major role in increasing damage and targets, including drones. Hybrid drones such as “The Rooster” and “Robodogs” can fly, hover, roll, and climb uneven terrain. Machine gun rovers have been used to replace on-the-ground troops. There have been allegations that Israeli sniper drones have played recordings of crying infants to lure targets into the open in Gaza.

Drones have been connected to psychological distress for Palestinians because of the 24/7 buzzing sounds and fears of being targeted.

Israel intensifying AI-powered attacks

As early as October 13, 2023, experts were calling Israeli attacks on Gaza a “potential genocide” and a “textbook case of genocide”. Judges of the International Court of Justice said in January 2024 that “at least some of the acts and omissions alleged […] to have been committed by Israelis in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the (Genocide) Convention.”

In July 2024, the World Court found Israel responsible for apartheid. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported over 41,000 Palestinians killed, over 96,000 Palestinians injured, and nearly half a million Palestinians facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity in Gaza.

In September 2024, Israel was suspected to be responsible for the exploding pagers attack in Lebanon, which killed at least 37 and injured approximately 3,000 people. In just three days, 90,000 Lebanese were displaced, fleeing Israeli attacks. Within one week, over 1,000 Lebanese were killed in the attacks. Israel continues to increase airstrikes on Lebanon, as well as Syria and Yemen.

Written by Safa

Israel justifies bombing civilian areas, using the same unverified “human shields” claims that it used in Gaza.

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot from the video “Fresh wave of Israeli strikes in Lebanon leaves scores dead” from the Guardian News YouTube channel. Fair use.

In an unprecedented and brutal bombing campaign, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon, killing nearly 500 people in less than 24 hours according to initial numbers from the Lebanese health ministry. The death toll is expected to rise as more than 1,600 people have been reported wounded, and many still missing under the rubble amid the ongoing bombing campaigns. In just one day, the casualties have reached nearly half the total from the entire 33-day war in 2006. 

This day marks one of the darkest chapters in Lebanon’s recent history, as the country reels from the destruction and the resulting humanitarian crisis. Hezbollah responded to the airstrikes by launching several waves of rockets on targets in northern Israel including a weapons factory and military airfields. 

Israel announced that it had carried out 1,600 targeted strikes throughout the day, claiming the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions. However, these claims have raised significant alarm and skepticism, especially given the troubling parallels to Israel’s previous military campaigns in Gaza. In Gaza, similar justifications were given for attacks on UN shelters, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure, leading to international accusations of genocide and war crimes. A case has already been filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa, supported by numerous countries, accusing Israel of violating international humanitarian law.

Ghada Majadli, a policy analyst with Al Shabaka tweeted: 

1. Israel's attack on Lebanon is a textbook repetition of Gaza: labeling the entire population as ‘human shields’ to justify making them military targets without any factual basis, issuing evacuation orders to entire villages, to give a facade of legality to their assaults>>

— Ghada Majadli غادة مجادلة (@GMajadli) September 23, 2024

Disinformation and ‘human shields’

In parallel with the bombing campaign, a wave of disinformation has spread across social media and official channels, attempting to justify the widespread targeting of civilian areas across Lebanon. One of the primary claims is that Hezbollah is using civilian homes to hide its missile launchpads, effectively using civilians as human shields. This narrative has been normalized in Gaza over the past year and is now being deployed in Lebanon as a dangerous excuse for indiscriminate airstrikes.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese commented:

Like the Palestinians, the Lebanese know that you are lying. Like the Palestininas, the Lebanese know that Israel's leadership is as unscrupulous as eager to expand its genocidal violence to the region in order to maintain power and advance its settler-colonial agenda. Like the… https://t.co/0e8rDEIugg

— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) September 23, 2024

Animated digital videos, presented as “evidence” of Hezbollah’s presence in civilian areas, that bear a strong resemblance to videos used to justify the destruction of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza, have circulated online. These animated videos, lacking any independent verification, are being used to justify the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools, with hundreds killed and thousands displaced as a result. 

Panic and displacement

As bombs rained down on Lebanon, Israeli forces issued evacuation orders through random phone messages and radio broadcasts, warning civilians to leave their homes if they were harboring Hezbollah weapons.

These haphazard warnings, combined with relentless airstrikes, have triggered mass panic and widespread displacement. Thousands of people have fled their homes, unsure of where to go as roads and villages were being bombed continuously.

Southern highway – making our way to Beirut – Israeli air strikes along to highway pic.twitter.com/NY4W7mQHGj

— Zeina Khodr (@ZeinakhodrAljaz) September 23, 2024

Escalating tensions

This escalation follows a week of intense attacks on Lebanon, some of which have been described as violations of international law. The assassination of senior Hezbollah commanders in Beirut has also contributed to the escalating violence, with several civilians, including children, killed in the attack. Hezbollah responded by targeting Israeli Ramat David airbase and the Rafael military-industrial complex in northern Haifa. 

According to Al Jazeera — whose office in Ramallah was raided and closed by the Israeli army on September 22, 2024 — there have been an estimated 7800 attacks by Israel on Lebanon between October 7, 2023 and September 6, 2024, compared to 1800 strikes by Hezbollah.

Adding to the volatile situation are the inflammatory statements made by Israeli officials. Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel called for expanding illegal colonies in the occupied West Bank, and more threats of escalation coming from its highest office. Such rhetoric only fuels the fears of a broader regional conflict, with no end in sight to the violence. 

Need for accountability

The lack of international accountability for Israel’s actions in Palestine has emboldened its government to pursue increasingly aggressive military campaigns, both in Lebanon and Palestine. Despite mounting evidence of war crimes, no serious pressure has been placed on Israel to accept a ceasefire or halt its escalating behavior. This absence of real pressure to de-escalate the conflict has led many to fear that the violence will only intensify.

Calls for an immediate ceasefire have been growing, with countries around the world urging Israel to halt its military operations and allow humanitarian aid to reach affected civilians in Gaza, and Hezbollah clearly stating that its attacks will stop the moment the war on Gaza stops. However, with no clear path toward accountability the violence appears set to continue.

As Lebanon mourns its dead and the international community debates its next steps, the human toll of Israel’s bombardment becomes clearer. Entire families have been wiped out, neighborhoods destroyed, and a country left grappling with yet another devastating chapter in its long history of suffering.

Written by Walid El Houri

The fight against censorship on social media is a fight for the future of democratic debate itself.

Originally published on Global Voices

Unfinished Palestinian flag on a wall in Jerusalem. Picture by brionv via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).

The ongoing suppression of Palestinian voices on social media platforms has sparked significant concerns about freedom of expression and the integrity of democratic debate. Organizations like SMEX and 7amleh have been at the forefront of documenting these digital rights violations, revealing the extent to which platforms like Meta (the owner of Facebook and Instagram) are complicit in silencing Palestinian content.

In October 2023, a collective of human rights and civil society organizations, including Oxfam, Access Now, and others, urged “tech companies to immediately take strict measures to protect their users from harm in light of the escalating events in the region.” The collective accused platforms like Meta of consistently over-moderating Arabic content, misinterpreting it as violent, even when it merely critiques Israeli policies. Meanwhile, Hebrew content that incites violence against Palestinians frequently escapes scrutiny, exposing a glaring double standard in content moderation practices.

In a July campaign, 7amleh stated, “Meta and Facebook have not adequately protected Palestinians from hate speech in the last decade, which has manifested in millions of conversations inciting violence and genocidal rhetoric during the last nine months of the Israeli war on Gaza.”

In 2021, Human Rights Watch accused Facebook of suppressing Palestinian voices calling for more transparency in how content is evaluated and deleted. In 2022, SMEX described how social media companies, under pressure from governments, disproportionately target Palestinian narratives and how Israeli authorities often request the removal of content they find unfavorable, and platforms tend to comply without transparency or due process.

Broader implications

This issue extends beyond digital spaces, with real-world consequences. In February 2024, a coalition of human and digital rights organizations warned that Meta's policies prevent Palestinians from sharing their experiences, and hinder efforts to combat real antisemitism. The petition titled “Meta: We Need to Talk about Genocide,” and signed by over 52,000 people reads:

The powerful voices of Palestinians and allies on social media have been a lifeline during the Israeli government’s genocidal war on Gaza — and often the only way for Palestinians to tell their stories, document human rights abuses, and seek international solidarity during this time of utter horror.

As Palestinians in Gaza face plausible genocide (according to the International Court of Justice) it is disturbing that Meta is choosing this moment to consider a policy that would further silence criticism of the Israeli military, Israeli government, and Zionism by shutting down conversations involving the term “Zionist.” Meta is proposing to treat “Zionist” as a proxy for “Jew” or “Jewish” — but this won’t make any of us safer. Instead, it will undermine efforts to dismantle real antisemitism and all forms of racism and bigotry.

Palestinians should be able to name the political ideology that impacts their survival without fearing reprisals. Anti-Zionist and non-Zionist Jews should be able to criticize the ideology that claims to represent them. And human rights defenders should be able to hold the Israeli military and government accountable — now, more than ever.

This censorship has broader implications for democratic debate. As social media platforms have become modern public squares, they are essential for the exchange of ideas and the shaping of public opinion. When these platforms selectively silence certain viewpoints, they distort the democratic process and hinder the free exchange of ideas. Critics argue that this censorship not only affects Palestinians but also has a chilling effect on discussions about human rights and social justice, as activists and journalists fear repercussions and begin self-censoring.

In the case of Palestine it is also part of a larger crackdown, especially in Europe and the US, on protest and Palestine solidarity, one that has been documented by human rights organizations.

The role of tech companies

The censorship of pro-Palestinian voices on social media is more than just a localized issue; it is part of a broader problem concerning the role of digital platforms in regulating speech and shaping public discourse. As these platforms continue to grow in influence, the need for transparency and accountability in their content moderation processes becomes increasingly urgent.

The tech sector, in general, has been complicit in discriminatory policies against Palestinians for years, a trend that has intensified since the onset of the war on Gaza. Microsoft, for example, has faced criticism for its decision to block Palestinian accounts, cutting them off from crucial online services. In July 2023, the BBC reported that “Palestinians living abroad have accused Microsoft of closing their email accounts without warning — cutting them off from crucial online services.”

In response, 7amleh's campaign highlighted the impact of these actions: “By blocking its services, Microsoft is effectively cutting Palestinians off from social, professional, and financial opportunities during a time of immense suffering and devastation.” Microsoft's decision to restrict its services has further compounded digital rights violations, especially in the context of telecommunications blackouts in Gaza, which are often imposed by Israeli authorities.

The broader trend of censorship extends to other platforms as well including X (formerly Twitter) which has recently faced criticism for platforming far-right accounts and LinkedIn, typically seen as a platform for professional networking, which has been accused of censoring pro-Palestinian content, and restricting or removing accounts that advocate for Palestinian rights.

Indeed, one of the most troubling aspects of this censorship is the inconsistency in how social media platforms handle content moderation. While pro-Palestinian accounts are frequently targeted, far-right and racist content often remains visible and thrives on the same platforms.

Organizations like Access Now, 7amleh, and SMEX are leading the call for change, urging social media companies to adopt fair and transparent policies that do not disproportionately target marginalized communities, ensuring that digital spaces remain open and accessible.

The fight against censorship on social media is a fight for the future of democratic debate itself. Without a commitment to protecting free expression, the very foundations of democracy are at risk.

Written by Walid El Houri

A testimony about the struggles of daily life in Gaza

Originally published on Global Voices

Photo by Issam Hajjaj, illustrated by Zena El Abdallah, used with permission.

This story was written by Issam Hani Hajjaj and originally published in Arabic by UntoldMag on August 1, 2024. It was translated into English by Walid El Houri and published on Global Voices with permission.

The reality in Gaza is more challenging than one might imagine. Two weeks ago, I drank what was supposed to be potable water. My stomach still aches from time to time, even today. The water is as potable as Gaza is livable.

A week after we were displaced from the European Hospital in Gaza to the Al-Mawasi humanitarian area — an area the Israeli army touts to the world — I was awakened by the sound of a child screaming, “America is nuking Palestine!”

Although it is the Israeli occupation forces that are striking Palestine, with support from the United States, I wondered how such thoughts formed in this child’s mind. How did he come to articulate a sentence like that?

Al-Mawasi is a large area in Khan Yunis and Rafah that the Israeli occupation forces have designated as a zone for displaced citizens before they enter any governorate. The tents here are crowded together, some bearing the names of donor countries. The tents differ in shape and fabric, with some made of leather and others of different materials. The most prominent tents are from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Germany due to their size, followed by Pakistani tents known for their distinct geometric shape and fabric.

People here live in a constant state of displacement, forced to move whenever the army decides to enter a new area, each time leaving behind a trail of innocent lives.

In reality, the Mawasi area has become the most dangerous place in the Gaza Strip due to repeated bombings by the Israeli army. Countless people have been killed in an instant, for no reason other than that the army can do so.

The displacement journey begins the moment the army announces the evacuation of a place. People scramble to find vehicles to transport themselves and their belongings, and the suffering of the displaced begins with the war profiteers who demand exorbitant prices for transport. No one has a choice but to pay because survival is the priority.

You dismantle your tent, gather everything you can, and move to a new location where you can set up the tent again. Once there, you start preparing a bathroom. Water is the most important resource, so people seek locations near water sources.

After we found a place to set up our tent in the Mawasi area, specifically in Asdaa City, we bought a tent and set it up with the seller's help. The next day, we dug a circular hole two meters deep to drain the bathroom. We bought a cement base for the bathroom, extended a plastic pipe to the hole, and thus completed the construction of the ground bathroom, known as the “Arab bathroom.” It’s a small, enclosed space, measuring 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) by 1.5 meters, surrounded by cloth or tarpaulins.

Some people can build a Western-style bathroom, especially in camps supported by certain parties. However, the Arab bathroom is more suitable for displacement, as it uses less water and is healthier for the body’s posture. However, this type of bathroom is difficult for someone like my father, who has injuries to his hand and foot, which should be treated in a hospital.

My father suffers from double fractures in his left hand and right foot, both of which now contain internal plates. He has also lost his left eye, making life unbearable inside the tent under the harsh sun, which further aggravates his condition. He needs three immediate surgeries, but no one sees his suffering except us, and despite his critical condition, we have not been able to get him out of Gaza for treatment.

To create some privacy, you enclose yourself with tarpaulins, covering one side of the tent, and designate corners for the kitchen and laundry.

In Asdaa City, waste disposal is different from other areas in Gaza. People dig holes to bury their waste because garbage trucks cannot reach this place, and building a landfill is impossible here.

The tent is unbearably hot during the day and freezing cold at night. During the day, you feel like stripping off all your clothes, while at night, you shiver under your covers. The sun wakes you up in the morning, drenched in sweat, with flies buzzing around your face. Sand is everywhere — on your body, in your clothes, and even in your food.

Initially, the discomfort is overwhelming, but eventually, you adapt. In the area, there is a large well called “Al-Hawoz,” which supplies water to the entire region. People come from different areas to fill their tanks, transporting them by donkey carts and makeshift carts, or carrying the water by hand over long distances.

As for potable water, sometimes a free truck arrives, and people rush to it, fighting to get water. This is the only chance to get somewhat drinkable water without paying USD 1 for 10 liters (2.6 gallons). In this intense heat and with the pressing need for water, such a small amount is insufficient.

Many people cannot meet their daily needs and survive on whatever little is available. This situation forces people to drink regular water, which often leads to colic and diarrhea. With a lack of proper care, their situation is heartbreaking.

Read more: Israel's war on Gaza

For a family like mine, consisting of eight people, we need about USD 550 per month just for food because of the high prices. Other necessities, such as charging phones, using the internet, and countless other things, come at an additional cost. Life forces you to prioritize what is most important for you and your family according to your income, but you won’t always succeed.

Many people have lost their jobs and have turned to selling goods. Trading has become the most common profession because everything else has ceased — except for the trade of goods, and war profiteering. As dire as life in Gaza looks on screen, the reality is far more difficult than one can imagine.

Two weeks ago, I drank some water, and my stomach still hurts. The water was supposed to be potable just as Gaza is supposed to be liveable.

Written by UntoldMag

Ankara is blowing past established norms and boundaries

Originally published on Global Voices

Image by Arzu Geybullayeva

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s attendance at NATO's 75th annual summit in Washington once again underlined the fundamental ways in which Ankara seeks to undermine the alliance’s vital security interests. NATO is a military alliance, consisting of 32 countries, which came into existence in 1950, with the premier mission to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union. While this alliance has historically been fairly unified, Ankara is pursuing a strategy of hedging against NATO, thereby endangering the group's efforts to mitigate the security challenges of great power competition, specifically against the threats posed by Russia and China. Whether it's countering Russia’s efforts to seize Ukraine or defining the term “terrorism,” there is seemingly nothing that the vast majority of NATO members and Turkey can agree on.

The divide between Ankara and NATO’s interests seemed to become even wider when, on July 28th, Erdoğan threatened to invade Israel over its conflict with Palestine. Such comments are not only inflammatory and aggressive, but they are representative of Turkey’s increasing antagonism of Israel, which has been designated a major non-member ally of the alliance for decades.

As a collective, NATO consistently fails to hold Ankara to account, not because it does not want to but because it does not know how. This must change, and strategies to coerce one of NATO’s oldest members back on the right path must be found. Failure to rein in Turkey will continue to bring us closer to an irreparable split between the alliance and Ankara.

Preparing for a Trump presidency

On July 18th a week after the NATO summit concluded in Washington, Erdoğan spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump on the phone. Erdoğan praised Trump, stating that his “bravery following the heinous attack is admirable” — in reference to the attempted assassination of the former president — and that the continuation of the Trump campaign was strengthening American democracy. The phone call, one of very few between Trump and world leaders since the incident, indicates Ankara’s growing assumption that the former president will win the election in November and will radically reconfigure NATO.

Trump has consistently told his American base that NATO members  “rip us off” and has promised to downsize America’s security commitments to its allies in Europe. Erdoğan is hyper-aware of the fact that NATO will become less beneficial to Turkey if Trump rolls back American funding and security guarantees. His calculus that this reality may come to fruition after the November US election, is emboldening him to act brazenly and make unpopular demands, a pattern that has continued since Turkey’s outsize role in delaying Sweden’s membership bid. Between 2022 and 2023, Turkey slowed the addition of Finland and Sweden to the NATO alliance, mainly because of Erdoğan's imposition of a quid pro quo: Unless Washington approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, Turkey would indefinitely delay NATO's expansion. Erdoğan's demand disrupted the alliance's plans, which directly benefited Russia. Erdoğan's crass treatment of NATO demonstrated to friends and adversaries of NATO, that the alliance was plagued by discord.

Alliances beyond NATO

Erdoğan has branded Ankara’s increasing proximity to NATO’s rivals, particularly Russia and China, as an asset for the alliance and a way to negotiate toward peace in several key regions. While Turkey and Russia often find themselves on opposite sides of conflicts, such as in Ukraine, the Caucuses, Syria, and Libya, Erdoğan has gone out of his way to maintain a cordial relationship with President Vladimir Putin and position himself as a potential mediator. 

Beyond conflict resolution, Turkey has sought deeper ties with the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the economic alliance BRICS, both considered growing rivals of NATO and the G7 countries. Only days before arriving in Washington for the NATO summit, Erdoğan was in Kazakhstan for the SCO summit, signaling Turkey’s desire to be upgraded to a permanent member. On the margins of the summit, Erdoğan met with both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin.

The juxtaposition of Erdoğan’s maneuvering in Kazakhstan versus his brazen and undermining behavior at the NATO summit is stark. Turkey’s accelerated pursuit of membership in these blocs may, in part, be an emotional reaction to ongoing stalled EU accession talks, but it is also representative of Erdoğan’s changing worldview. He has publicly stated that the world’s economic center of gravity is shifting East and criticized the West’s limited perception of Russia and China as enemies. Turkey seeks to be a major player in a multipolar world rather than a state confined and defined by the political and economic demands of Western powers.

Turkey may rely on NATO now for its security, but it is also investing in its future by creating contingency plans if the West and NATO’s strength is dwarfed by Russia, China, and the emerging global South.

Undermining NATO’s security

Ankara’s hedging gives alliance members plenty of reasons to worry, but there are also even more stark examples of Turkish behavior that NATO simply cannot tolerate. Turkey’s hardened anti-Israeli stance is not simply a policy issue that Turkey and the rest of NATO disagree on. Erdoğan has made it Turkey’s mission to materially support Hamas, an organization that the other NATO members widely classify as a terrorist organization.

Turkey’s explicit support of Hamas is not a new issue. In 2011, Erdoğan invited the organization to open offices in Turkey. Since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack in Israel, which killed over 1,200 Israeli civilians, Erdoğan has only elevated his rhetorical praise of the group and escalated the scale of support.

Turkey is complicit in escalating violence against Israel. On July 21, Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, thwarted a terrorist attack that it identified as being directed by Turkey. Five students at Birzeit University in the West Bank, affiliated with a student group “Kutla Islamia,” acquired weapons and cash with the intent of murdering Israeli citizens. Although Israel’s foreign minister drew attention to and condemned the attack and Turkey’s role in it, no other Israeli ally followed suit.

In September 2023, Israeli customs authorities revealed that they had intercepted 16 tons of explosive material on its way from Turkey to the Gaza Strip two months previously. In December 2023, Israeli customs officials foiled another attempt by Turkish affiliates to smuggle thousands of weapons parts into the West Bank.

Turkey’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict cannot be spoken about as an ideological rift with NATO members; instead, it is an egregious example of a NATO member championing and furthering the violent interests of a terrorist entity.

A similar pattern can be found in Syria, where Turkey has purposefully undermined the objectives of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), a mission spearheaded by the United States and its coalition partners to degrade and eliminate the Islamic State (ISIS). Ankara targets and carries out military strikes against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), accusing them of being “terrorists” intent on attacking Turkey. On several occasions, Turkish military strikes have come close to hitting US military personnel assisting the SDF.

Instead of participating in OIR’s counterterrorism mission to eliminate ISIS, Erdoğan has chosen to admonish its treaty allies. He has bashed the mission and stated that it is “not consistent with the spirit of the alliance for the ringleaders of terrorist organizations that pose a threat to Türkiye's national security to be accepted as legitimate actors.” It should be noted that the SDF has been critical in thwarting the inhumane violence and expansion carried out by ISIS, and there is no evidence that they are affiliated with terrorism.

In private, many NATO leaders are not just concerned with Turkey’s stance on the major security challenges facing the alliance; they are outraged. This, however, is not helpful. It seems that the alliance has chosen to prioritize avoiding a public spectacle over confronting Ankara.

Hesitation to hold Turkey accountable is partially understandable. NATO was created to counter the systemic threat posed by the Soviet Union. It has no developed mechanisms to counter internal threats caused by member states. From acquiring Russian missiles to delaying NATO expansion, Ankara is operating in uncharted territory by constantly blowing past established norms and boundaries. This trajectory must be interrupted.

In the face of a multiplicity of threats facing the alliance, it is now more important than ever to ensure that members are on the same page. What this means in practice is that the alliance must nail down what is collectively understood as strategic threats, how we define terrorist actors, and what the responsibilities of membership entail. NATO’s operational cohesivity and capability, as the most effective military alliance, cannot and should not be hamstrung by the actions of one member. It is past time to stand up to Erdoğan.

Written by Sinan Ciddi, Sophia Epley

More than three quarters of the 99 journalists killed worldwide in 2023 were killed in Gaza

Originally published on Global Voices

Reuters armored vehicle damaged by an Israeli rocket strike on Gaza in 2006. Reuters cameraman Fadel Shana, and a local journalist were injured in the attack. Two years later Shana was killed when his marked Press vehicle was hit by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza. Image by Eric Huybrechts via Flickr. CC BY-ND 2.0.

On July 31, Al Jazeera journalists Ismail al-Ghoul and Rami al-Rifi were killed by Israel in the Shati refugee camp in the north of Gaza while reporting on the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyya in Iran.

The Israeli army admitted to killing al-Ghoul and al-Rifi, accusing them of being members of Al Qassam, the military wing of Hamas, and of participating in the October 7 attack. This dangerous accusation — thoroughly refuted by the channel — has been used repeatedly by the Israeli side to justify killing journalists, which risks normalizing the targeting of journalists with unfounded accusations.

Al Jazeera said that Al Ghoul, who had previously reported on the Israeli raids of Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, was detained by Israeli forces in March and released 12 hours later, disproving the claims of his affiliation with Hamas or other organizations.

Nicola Perugini, associate professor of politics and international relations at the University of Edinburgh, warned on X about using such accusations against journalists:

The Israeli military crystal clearly affirming that Gaza journalists who are documenting its annihilation war are legitimate military targets. “Nukhba” has become a synonym for killable and torturable civilians. pic.twitter.com/qfmopfcY2A

— Nicola Perugini (@PeruginiNic) August 1, 2024

A disturbing pattern

According to preliminary figures from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 113 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, with three confirmed to have been targeted and 10 more under investigation. The Gaza government media office put the number at 165 Palestinian journalists and media workers killed. 

According to Reporters without Borders (RSF), “29 of [the 120 journalists reported killed by [RSF] have been killed in circumstances that point to intentional targeting, in violation of international law.” Three complaints have been filed with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the press freedom organization urging independent investigations of these war crimes.

The Al Jazeera Network — banned by Israel since May 2023 — has been heavily targeted, with five of its journalists killed in Gaza since the war began. Hamza al-Dahdouh, son of Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, and Moustafa Thuraya were killed in a January airstrike. The Israeli army also alleged the two men were “members of Gaza-based terrorist organizations,” which was equally refuted by the channel and others.

In February, a drone strike injured Wael al-Dahdouh and killed cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa. Wael's wife, seven-year-old daughter, and 15-year-old son were also killed in an Israeli airstrike on October 28, 2023.

“These deadly attacks on Al Jazeera personnel coincided with a defamation campaign by Israeli authorities,” according to RSF, warning that “conflating journalism with ‘terrorism’ endangers reporters and threatens the right to information.”

“The killing of al-Ghoul and al-Rifi is the latest example of the risks of documenting the war in Gaza, the deadliest conflict for journalists the organization has documented in 30 years,” Jodie Ginsberg, CPJ’s CEO told Al Jazeera, emphasizing that the killing of journalists by Israel has been a disturbing pattern over the past 20 years. “This appears to be part of a broader [Israeli] strategy to stifle the information coming out of Gaza,” she explained, adding that the ban on Al Jazeera from reporting in Israel is part of this trend.

Trauma and exhaustion

Since October 7, Israel has not allowed any foreign journalists to enter the Gaza strip to report on the ongoing war except if embedded with the Israeli army. This complete ban has meant that local journalists are the ones to bear the brunt of coverage at great personal risk.

The immense trauma and exhaustion experienced by these local journalists, who remain vulnerable despite taking all possible safety measures, was best expressed in a poignant quote from Al Jazeera English journalist Hind Khoudary that went viral after the killing of her colleagues.

“We do everything. We wear our press jackets. We wear our helmets. But we have been targeted in normal places where normal citizens are.”

Al Jazeera's journalist Hind Khoudary reports on the killing of her colleagues, journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and cameraman Rami al-Rifee, who… pic.twitter.com/QjRMZEWM8k

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 31, 2024

Another colleague,  Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Jerusalem, Najwan Simri wrote in a tribute to her colleague Ismail:

بالذات إسماعيل، كان يكفي أن تنظر في عينيه، وتتأمل ملامحه، لتشعر بعمق حزن غزة وعتبها علينا.. كنت أشعر دائمًا أنه يعاتبنا بأدبٍ مفرط.. وبعشم كبير، وكأنه لم يفقد الأمل فينا للحظة.#اسماعيل_الغول pic.twitter.com/8ykT155btE

— Najwan Simri نجوان سمري (@SimriNajwan) July 31, 2024

It was enough to look into his eyes, and contemplate his features, to feel the depth of Gaza’s sadness and reproach towards us. I always felt that he reproached us with excessive politeness.. and great hope, as if he had not lost hope in us for a moment.

- Najwan Simri (@SimriNajwan) 31 July, 2024

Meanwhile, local journalists in Gaza protested and held a vigil in response to al-Ghoul’s killing expressing their outrage at the perilous conditions they navigate daily and the lack of accountability and protection. Al Jazeera Arabic staff held a silent protest live in their studio.

An emotional video of the moment Al Jazeera Arabic presenter received and shared the news of the killing of Ismail Al Ghoul and Rami Al Rifi, went viral.

Bayan Abusultan, a feminist Palestinian journalist in Gaza tweeted:

They want to silence us.
They threaten all journalists who are still in Gaza city, and the north.

Covering the news here = Being targeted by the israeli forces.

Remember to keep talking about #Gaza even if they got every last one of us.

— Bayan (@BayanPalestine) July 31, 2024

A history of impunity

Israel has a history of targeting journalists with impunity, as evidenced by the case of Shireen Abu Akleh, killed by the Israeli army while reporting in Jennin in the West Bank on May 11, 2022. Abu Akleh’s killing highlights the dangers faced by Palestinian media professionals due to a lack of accountability.

Read more: Prominent Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh shot dead by Israeli bullet to the head

Carlos Martínez de la Serna of thr CPJ criticized Israel for refusing to cooperate with the FBI and blocking potential ICC investigations into her killing, calling for an end to Israel’s impunity in journalist killings, which have only increased during the ongoing Gaza war.

Tribute to Shireen Abu Akleh in London, May 14, 2022. Image by Alisdare Hickson via Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0.

In 2022, Abu Akleh’s family and Al Jazeera requested the ICC to investigate her killing, but Israel's leaders, including former prime minister Yair Lapid, resisted any interrogation of IDF soldiers and declined to open a criminal investigation into the killing.

The scale of journalist killing by Israel during this war is best seen when comparing it to the global number. More than three quarters of the 99 journalists killed worldwide in 2023 were killed in the Gaza war according to the CPJ. This alarming number emphasizes the urgent need for accountability and the enhancement of protection measures for journalists everywhere, ensuring the safety and protection of all the journalists who courageously report from the front lines of conflicts.

Written by Walid El Houri