As a key player in the international arena, the United States holds a unique responsibility to champion the enforcement of global laws aimed at preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, safeguarding civilians in conflict zones, and curbing the flow of arms to nations implicated in war crimes. The credibility of the international rules-based order hinges on the willingness of influential nations to hold violators accountable, regardless of their alliances.
In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack orchestrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has unleashed a relentless bombing campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians and injuries to more than 168,000 individuals over the past two years. The humanitarian crisis has escalated to unprecedented levels, with countless more succumbing to starvation and disease. This military response not only raises serious legal and moral concerns but also highlights a deeply disproportionate use of force.
Numerous reports indicate that U.S. arms, along with those from other nations, have been instrumental in the Israeli government’s military operations against Gaza, which contravene established humanitarian laws. Furthermore, Israel has systematically obstructed the delivery of crucial humanitarian assistance from the U.S., other countries, and various aid organizations, exacerbating the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire.
In its pursuit of defeating Hamas, the Israeli government has employed U.S.-supplied weaponry to indiscriminately target civilian areas, including schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. Alarmingly, the response from U.S. leadership—spanning the administrations of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden—has been one of complicity. They have largely ignored their obligation to uphold both U.S. and international laws, opting instead to continue military support for Israel without any preconditions aimed at protecting innocent lives or facilitating a ceasefire.
As a result, the United States finds itself complicit in what many are calling one of the darkest chapters in modern history, with its standing as a proponent of the international rules-based system now in jeopardy.
In a July report, B’Tselem, an independent Israeli organization focused on human rights in the occupied territories, asserted that Israel has been engaging in acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. As recently as July, UN hunger experts warned the world that Gaza’s civilian population was perilously close to famine.
A September report authored by Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Jeff Merkley of Oregon shed further light on the situation. Following their fact-finding mission to the region, they concluded that the Netanyahu administration has employed a dual strategy of systematically destroying civilian infrastructure while weaponizing food and humanitarian aid—a tactic that amounts to ethnic cleansing.
The U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, along with a basic sense of human decency, mandates that military aid must be withheld when U.S. weapons are utilized by any government that exhibits a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations or obstructs humanitarian assistance. Yet, despite the catastrophic impact of the ongoing conflict on civilian lives, the Trump administration escalated military aid to Israel while rolling back previous restrictions on the use of highly destructive munitions.
In February 2025, the Trump administration notified Congress of proposed arms sales to Israel totaling over $11 billion. Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Netanyahu unilaterally violated a negotiated ceasefire with Hamas, leading to further escalation of violence against civilians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Despite overwhelming public opposition—over 60 percent of Americans oppose continued military aid to Israel—Congress has largely failed to act. Recently proposed resolutions to block arms transfers received minimal bipartisan support, with only 24 Democrats backing the initiative.
In the absence of meaningful action from the U.S., Netanyahu has defied global calls for a ceasefire, launching new military offensives and dismissing prospects for Palestinian statehood.
The urgent situation in Gaza necessitates not only action from the U.S. Congress but also a concerted effort from the international community to uphold the fundamental rules designed to protect civilians. In a bold proposal put forth by a distinguished group of UN experts, the General Assembly should adopt a “Uniting for Peace” resolution. This resolution would demand an immediate cessation of Israel’s bombardment, ensure the release of remaining Israeli hostages, impose an arms embargo on both Israel and Hamas, and guarantee unrestricted access for humanitarian aid from UN and independent organizations.
Implementing a robust “Uniting for Peace” initiative could pressure U.S. and Israeli officials to adhere to international norms and contribute to a viable plan for ending the conflict. Such resolutions carry significant legal weight and can authorize the deployment of a UN emergency force when the Security Council fails to maintain global peace and security.
If there was ever a moment that called for decisive international action, it is now. The world can no longer afford to remain passive in the face of such blatant violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The time for accountability is long overdue, and it begins with a united demand for justice and peace in Gaza.
