On Monday, October 6, 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW), a prominent New York-based international human rights organization, issued an urgent call to governments worldwide to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the rights of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The organization emphasized that such measures should not be delayed until the implementation of a ceasefire plan, highlighting the dire humanitarian and human rights crisis that has unfolded in the region over the past two years. This statement comes in the context of ongoing violence, widespread destruction, and severe violations of international law in Gaza, which have left the enclave in a state of unprecedented suffering.
HRW’s statement specifically critiques a 20-point ceasefire plan introduced by former U.S. President Donald Trump on September 29, 2025, aimed at halting hostilities in the Gaza Strip. While the plan includes measures such as the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the reconstruction of Gaza, HRW argues that it falls short of addressing critical human rights concerns and ensuring accountability for the grave violations committed since October 7, 2023. The organization stressed that the plan does not provide a framework for addressing systemic human rights abuses or holding perpetrators accountable for war crimes and other atrocities.
According to HRW, the past two years have seen a staggering array of violations of international humanitarian law in both Israel and Palestine, particularly in Gaza. The organization has documented numerous acts that it classifies as war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination, acts of genocide, and violations of binding orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). These violations have been committed in the context of a conflict that has seen relentless Israeli military operations in Gaza, resulting in catastrophic consequences for the civilian population. HRW’s findings underscore the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further atrocities and to uphold the principles of universal human rights.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which intensified following the events of October 7, 2023, has led to the deaths of over 67,100 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, according to figures cited by HRW. The relentless bombardment has rendered large parts of Gaza uninhabitable, destroying homes, infrastructure, and essential services such as hospitals, schools, and water systems. The blockade imposed by Israel has exacerbated the crisis, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and other essentials. This has led to widespread starvation, malnutrition, and the spread of preventable diseases among the population, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.
HRW has called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to immediately lift unlawful restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza. The organization argues that these restrictions violate international law and have contributed to the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave. In addition to easing aid restrictions, HRW urged governments to impose targeted sanctions on Israel to address the ongoing violations. These sanctions could include halting arms transfers to Israel, suspending trade agreements, and imposing travel bans and asset freezes on Israeli officials credibly implicated in serious human rights abuses. Such measures, HRW contends, are essential to holding perpetrators accountable and preventing further deterioration of the situation in Gaza.
The organization’s statement also emphasized the broader responsibility of all governments to act decisively to prevent further atrocities and to defend the universality of human rights. HRW underscored that the situation in Gaza is not merely a localized conflict but a test of the international community’s commitment to upholding human rights and international law. The failure to act, the group warned, risks further entrenching impunity and allowing the cycle of violence and suffering to continue unchecked.
The ceasefire plan proposed by Trump has garnered attention as a potential step toward de-escalation, with a Hamas delegation arriving in Egypt on Sunday, October 5, 2025, to engage in indirect negotiations with Israel. Hamas has reportedly agreed to the plan in principle, signaling a willingness to explore diplomatic avenues to end the violence. However, HRW’s critique highlights the limitations of the plan in addressing the root causes of the conflict and the systemic human rights violations that have characterized the past two years. The organization’s call for immediate action underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the protection of civilian lives, accountability for crimes, and the restoration of dignity and security for the Palestinian population.
The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated. The destruction of infrastructure has left millions of Palestinians without access to basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, and healthcare. The blockade and ongoing military operations have created conditions of extreme deprivation, with families struggling to survive amid widespread poverty and displacement. The psychological toll on the population, particularly on children who have lived through years of violence, is immense, with long-term consequences for the social and economic fabric of Gaza.
HRW’s documentation of war crimes and crimes against humanity points to a pattern of violations that demand urgent international scrutiny. The organization has cited specific instances of indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, the use of disproportionate force, and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, all of which violate the laws of war. Additionally, the ICJ’s binding orders, which Israel is accused of breaching, include measures aimed at preventing genocide and ensuring the protection of civilians. The failure to comply with these orders, HRW argues, underscores the need for stronger international mechanisms to enforce accountability.
In its call for sanctions, HRW emphasized that halting arms transfers to Israel is a critical step toward reducing the capacity for further violations. The organization noted that several countries have continued to supply Israel with weapons despite evidence of their use in unlawful attacks. Suspending trade agreements and imposing targeted sanctions on implicated officials would send a clear message that the international community will not tolerate impunity for serious crimes. HRW also urged governments to support mechanisms for justice, such as investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC), to ensure that those responsible for atrocities are held accountable.
The situation in Gaza remains a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction in the face of human rights abuses. The international community’s response to the crisis will shape not only the future of Gaza but also the credibility of global human rights frameworks. HRW’s call for immediate action reflects the urgency of addressing the suffering of the Palestinian people and the need to break the cycle of violence that has persisted for far too long.
As negotiations around the ceasefire plan continue, the international community faces a critical juncture. While diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire are essential, they must be accompanied by concrete measures to address the underlying causes of the conflict and to ensure accountability for violations of international law. HRW’s statement serves as a powerful reminder that the protection of human rights cannot wait for political agreements to take shape. Governments must act now to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, uphold the rule of law, and demonstrate their commitment to the principles of justice and humanity.
In conclusion, Human Rights Watch’s urgent appeal underscores the need for immediate, multilateral action to protect the rights of Palestinians in Gaza. The organization’s critique of the ceasefire plan highlights the importance of addressing human rights and accountability alongside efforts to end hostilities. As the crisis in Gaza continues to unfold, the international community must heed HRW’s call to prioritize the protection of civilians, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and hold those responsible for atrocities accountable. Only through decisive and principled action can the cycle of violence and suffering in Gaza be brought to an end, paving the way for a future where the rights and dignity of all people in the region are respected and upheld.