Since Palestinian militias and Hezbollah captured Israeli soldiers, Israel has retaliated with what is widely considered to be excessive and disproportionate force. For three soldiers held hostage, million of civilians are now being held hostage. This conflict between the Israeli military and militia elements in Gaza and of Hezbollah has continued to escalate with all sidesusing, with different proportions, rockets and missiles to target civilians and civilian properties. Israel, who obviously has been waiting and preparing this for a long time, is now ready for a ground offensive, while international community is doing nothing to stop the violence. Ordinary Palestinian and Lebanese families are suffering immensely and ahumanitarian crisis is arising due to the destruction and blockages.
Immediate steps must be taken to end the ongoing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Such attacks are a blatant breach of international humanitarian law. According to Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, "extensive destruction ... not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly," is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime. Likewise Article 33 prohibits "collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism".
