Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties reported that on Saturday, July 20, the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of airstrikes on the port of Hodeidah in western Yemen, targeting civilian objects including a power station and fuel depots. This blatant attack represents a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime and deliberate starvation.

The spokesperson for the Israeli army stated in a press release that Israeli military aircraft recently attacked military targets belonging to the Houthis in Hodeidah port area in Yemen, in response to hundreds of attacks against Israel in recent months. The spokesperson added that the port of Hodeidah is considered a terrorist infrastructure and a legitimate military target, as it is used by the Houthis to obtain weapons, according to their statement.

Sam reported that the Israeli attack resulted in the deaths of 6 civilians working in the marine section and laboratory at the oil company facility in Hodeidah, namely: 1• Nabil Nasher, 2• Ahmed Mousa Geilan, 3• Abdulbari Yousef, 4• Salah Al-Sarari, 5• Abu Bakr Al-Faqih, 6• Idris Dawood, in addition to injuring at least 87 others with severe burns due to the targeting.

SAM noted that this aggression violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks, reprisals, or other acts of violence against civilian objects. Protocol I Article 54, Protocol II Article 14, and Rule 54 emphasize the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population and prohibit their targeting, destruction, or disruption.

The organization highlighted that Rule 7 of  international humanitarian law mandates distinguishing at all times between civilian objects (protected targets) and military objectives, reminding that attacks must not be directed against civilian objects. Furthermore, even if the target is legitimate, the attack becomes unlawful if excessive collateral damage to civilians or civilian objects is expected.

SAM expresses its severe condemnation and strong denunciation of the Israeli attack on Hodeidah port and urges the international community to condemn and hold Israel accountable for this crime.

The organization calls for restraint and to spare Yemen further destruction, as nine years of conflict have painted a clear picture of what could happen if violence is resorted to. In any case, the only ones who suffer are the civilians.