Civilians Must be Protected and International Law Upheld in Gaza, Occupied Palestine and Israel

We are outraged by the attacks launched by Hamas, and the disproportionate response of a declaration of war from Israel. Both have resulted in an immense loss of civilian lives and untold suffering, disproportionately affecting women, children and marginalized groups. We call for the protection of all civilians, the opening of a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, for international law and human rights to be upheld, and women’s voices to be heard.

The context and root causes of the escalating violence must be acknowledged, including the long-standing illegal and inhumane occupation of Palestinian territories and its devastating consequences on the Palestinian people, including displacement, restricted access to basic services, and erosion of human rights.  

We stand in solidarity with all people affected by the escalating violence. 

The parties to the conflict, regional actors and the international community have a duty to uphold international law and protect human rights. We issue the following calls to them: 

1. Civilians must be protected.

Civilians have borne the brunt of the occupation, as well as the violent confrontations between Hamas and Israel. Hamas has targeted and taken civilians hostage, including women and children. The inhabitants of Gaza currently face a siege. It is a cornerstone of international humanitarian law that civilians must under no circumstances be targeted, and all parties have the utmost duty to protect civilian lives.

Therefore:

• At this critical time, the international community must continue to call for an end to all hostilities, and the implementation of a ceasefire.

• All humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people must be restored, a humanitarian corridor for the transportation of aid and safe passage for civilians must be established and protected.

• Governments of the USA, France, Germany, the UK and others, who have expressed unequivocal support for Israel, must make this support conditional on protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories, including provision of basic supplies being immediately returned and the siege lifted.

2. Human rights and international law must be upheld. 

Deprivation of human rights and basic needs constitutes a war crime. The suspension of power, water, food, and fuel to Gaza by the Israeli authorities amounts to unlawful collective punishment, is unacceptable and disproportionately affects women and children, increasing risk to their physical safety. The taking of hostages by Hamas is unequivocally illicit.

Therefore:

• The international community must push for the application and implementation of international agreements and laws, including the Geneva Conventions, and all relevant UN General Assembly resolutions, in particular, UNGA resolution 3236, which explicitly recognizes the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

• The international community must push for the immediate release of all hostages and captives.

• The international community must strongly condemn and hold accountable states which fuel militarism including those who fund and arm Hamas and other militant groups, notably Iran.

• The International Criminal Court and other relevant bodies should conduct a complete inquiry into violations and war crimes that were committed.

3. Women’s voices must be heard and women’s rights protected.

War and conflict disproportionately affect women, yet women’s voices are often overlooked and excluded. The Israeli occupation and the Gaza siege have specific gendered impacts that obstruct women's access to basic human rights, social services, and political life, and increase their susceptibility and exposure to gender-based violence. 

Therefore:

• Responses to the escalating conflict must recognize and take into consideration the disproportionate gendered impacts of war and conflict, including escalating gender-based violence, including sexual violence. 

• All actors violating women's rights and perpetrating gender-based violence must be held accountable by relevant international bodies.

• Members of the international community should facilitate meaningful and lasting peace processes which include a gendered analysis of the current violence, long-standing occupation and current siege, and ensure genuine participation of women.

• International civil society and donors must strengthen engagement with and support for local feminist and women’s groups.

Peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, freedom and respect for human dignity. All people in the region have the right to live in freedom, safety, free from occupation and violence. 

Signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates:

Jody Williams (USA, 1997) 

Shirin Ebadi (Iran, 2003) 

Leymah Gbowee (Liberia, 2011) 

Tawakkol Karman (Yemen, 2011) 

Maria Ressa (Philippines, 2021) 

and Nobel Women’s Initiative 

MEDIA CONTACT:  

Daina Ruduša  

Head of Media and Communications  

Nobel Women’s Initiative  

[email protected]  

+371 25585212 (EEST timezone)