Wjwc News
At dawn on Thursday, December 19, 2024, airstrikes launched by Israeli forces targeted key areas in Yemen, including the port of Hodeidah and facilities in Sana'a. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 12 civilians and left several others wounded.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the strikes hit civilian infrastructure, raising serious concerns about adherence to international humanitarian law.
In the wake of the attacks, Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) issued a strong condemnation. The organization emphasized that these airstrikes violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality, which prohibit the targeting of civilians and civilian objects. They highlighted that such actions breach the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Additional Protocols, which focus on the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.
Reports indicate that nine of the victims were civilians working at the port of Hodeidah and the Ras Issa facility at the time of the bombing. Their names—Abdullah Mukhlis, Abdo Ibrahim, Awad Sajma, Osama Deek, Essam Bakri, Yahya Alwan, Mohammed Zaim, Ali Arouki, and Ali Mazjaji—were released by the organization, which noted that these individuals were engaged in their duties when the strikes occurred.
Women Journalists Without Chains called for an independent international investigation to hold those responsible accountable and to seek justice for the victims. They warned that targeting vital ports and civilian facilities could lead to a further escalation of human suffering in Yemen. The organization stressed that repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure not only disregard human rights but also threaten the livelihoods of countless individuals.
In its statement, the organization urged all parties involved to comply with international laws that protect civilians and critical infrastructure, underscoring the need for immediate measures to prevent such violations from recurring and to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.
Released by:
Women Journalists Without Chains
December 20, 2024