Tirana Hassan, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), raised alarms on Friday over the role of Western arms suppliers in Israel’s ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Speaking with Reuters, Hassan argued that nations like the United States, Germany, and the UK—by continuing to supply weapons despite documented allegations of violations of international law—risk fueling broader global conflicts. Hassan emphasized, “If there continues to be military support to the Israeli Defense Force and they know that these weapons are being used in the commission of war crimes, then that should be enough for weapons sales and transfers to stop.”
HRW’s stance challenges Western countries, asserting that their military support to Israel is perceived as a double standard in international accountability. “This contradiction,” Hassan continued, “is exploited by countries like Russia and China, who use it to question the West’s commitment to human rights and international law.”
Hassan’s remarks coincide with a recent United Nations report on the Israel-Hamas Gaza conflict, revealing that nearly 70% of verified casualties have been women and children. Palestinian officials report over 43,500 lives lost since hostilities escalated in October 2023.
Amid these developments, Washington recently issued a conditional warning to Israel, urging humanitarian action in Gaza or risking restrictions on U.S. military aid. Hassan added that the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency adds further uncertainty, citing his statements about mass deportations as “a very worrying message” on the international stage.
