US state department’s report on Israel-Hamas human rights impact

The US State Department released its annual report, highlighting the adverse effects of the Israel-Hamas conflict on human rights in the region.

Citing credible sources, the report underscores concerns such as arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and unjustified arrests of journalists.

The 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices detailed these issues, reflecting a troubling situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied accusations of a “double standard” in addressing human rights abuses by the Israeli military in Gaza.

Blinken emphasized that examinations of such charges are ongoing and reiterated the US commitment to applying consistent standards globally.

Regardless of diplomatic ties, Blinken affirmed that the same standards are applied universally, underscoring the importance of upholding human rights principles across all nations.

“In general, as we’re looking at human rights and the condition of human rights around the world, we apply the same standard to everyone,” Blinken told a briefing at which he unveiled the annual human rights report. “That doesn’t change whether the country is an adversary, a competitor, a friend or an ally,” he continued.