Human Rights First Urges Israel to Immediately Lift All Humanitarian Aid Restrictions, and Condemns Proposed Forced Displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

Washington, D.C. – In the wake of the deteriorating situation on the ground in Gaza, Human Rights First reiterates its call for Israel to immediately lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery; for a return to a ceasefire; for the immediate release of remaining hostages and other arbitrarily detained civilians; and for accountability for all war crimes, regardless of the perpetrator.  Recent grave developments include this week’s deadly Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people, chaotic rollout of U.S.-Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution hubs that violate humanitarian principles, and dire UN warnings that millions of civilians face acute risks of famine.  

Human Rights First is further alarmed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s May 21 remarks endorsing President Trump’s plan to permanently relocate Palestinians from Gaza as a condition to end Israel’s military operations in Gaza, and strongly opposes proposals to remove Palestinians from Gaza.

“Israel, like every nation, must ensure, and not impede, the swift provision of humanitarian aid in compliance with the fundamental principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Violation of these core principles endangers civilians, risks forced displacement, and makes effective delivery impossible, as seen in the chaotic GHF rollout. Provision of aid – in this case meager quantities of food wholly inadequate to prevent starvation – should never be weaponized for military purposes or restricted to force people to relocate. It is also unacceptable to prevent humanitarian organizations and tons of life-saving assistance piling up on Gaza’s borders from alleviating dire risks of famine caused by Israel’s nearly three-month blockade.” said Human Rights First President and CEO Uzra Zeya. 

“The staggering death count in Gaza keeps rising as civilians continue to suffer the horrors of Israeli airstrikes, including displaced people seeking shelter in schools and camps,” said Zeya. She added, “We condemn forced displacement of Palestinians within and from Gaza, including so-called “voluntary” transfer, which would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity on a large scale.”

Human Rights First reiterates previous calls on the U.S. Congress and the international community to: 

• Enforce legal restrictions on security assistance and take other steps to press for a halt to, and the prevention of, further violations of international humanitarian law, including ending the starvation of civilians. 
• Oppose illegal relocation plans and ensure the administration does not have the resources to carry them out. 
• Ensure swift accountability for crimes committed in connection with the October 7 attacks, military operations, starvation, and other abuses, including through targeted sanctions and criminal proceedings as appropriate. 
• Seek immediate release of all hostages and other people arbitrarily detained.