Israel’s renewed assault on the population of Gaza reinforces the urgent need to impose a comprehensive arms embargo

The Israeli government’s decision to shatter the fragile ceasefire in Gaza with a night of massive bombardment on Monday 17 March, killing an estimated 400 Palestinians – many of them women and children – is a renewal of Israel’s strategy of collective punishment of the Palestinian population. It follows Israel’s decision at the beginning of March to impose a total cutoff of humanitarian aid entering the territory and to cut off electricity lines on 9 March, putting the remaining water supply in danger. The United Nations (UN) and human rights groups have documented extensive violations of international humanitarian law amounting to crimes against humanity over the course of Israel's devastating 16-month military operation in Gaza.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares that the new phase of the war “…is only the beginning”, it is imperative for states to apply all measures at their disposal to prevent the continued perpetration of atrocities by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza and the West Bank, including an immediate halt to arms transfers. This is underlined by Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and systematic discrimination against Palestinians, which UN Special Rapporteurs and Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights organisations consider to be apartheid – a crime against humanity.

Despite condemnations by many world leaders of the renewed Israeli assault on Gaza, the US has placed no restrictions on the export of F-35 fighter jets to Israel. Others, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK, are disregarding their obligations under their own national legislation and international law – and for some states European regulations – by continuing to allow transfers of F-35 parts and components that may be destined for use by Israel. These jets have been operating in Gaza armed with munitions that include 2,000-pound bombs – explosives with a blast radius up to 365 metres, an area the equivalent of 58 football pitches.

Meaningful negotiations for the safe release of the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, and a path towards a more peaceful and just future for Palestinians and Israelis, cannot take place while Gaza is under siege conditions and Palestinian civilians endure overwhelming military violence, systematic displacement, and widespread sexual and gender-based violence at the hands of Israeli forces.

It is time for all states to end their equivocation and take action consistent with the magnitude of the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people since October 2023, which likely amount to genocide. Imposing a comprehensive embargo on Israel is an essential step, together with using all possible tools to bring all perpetrators of crimes against humanity – on October 7 and after – to account. To fail to do so is to be an ally to atrocities.

Photo: Residential buildings that were destroyed during intensive bombing by Israeli aircraft. Credit: Al Araby/Prachatai

See also: 
18 March 2025: Gender Action for Peace and Security Secretariat statement, “More than a human can bear”: Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023 
17 February 2025: Open letter, Over 230 global organisations demand governments producing F-35 jets stop arming Israel  
1 November 2024: Saferworld statement, Urgent call to end impunity for atrocities committed by Israel in Palestine and Lebanon