Geneva - SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties stated that Israeli forces conducted a series of airstrikes targeting civilians and civilian facilities in Hodeidah Governorate on Monday afternoon, September 29. This incident constitutes a war crime and represents a serious violation of international laws, necessitating urgent action from the international community to ensure accountability for the perpetrators and protect civilians.

SAM reported that the strikes targeted the port of Hodeidah, Hodeidah International Airport, as well as fuel tanks at Ras Issa Port, and the Ras Katib and Al-Hali power generation stations. The initial toll from the Israeli aggression on the governorate includes the deaths of four individuals, including a port worker and three engineers from Al-Hali Electricity, along with 49 injuries. Rescue teams continue to search for missing persons under the rubble of the Al-Hali station, according to Houthi media. The attack also caused significant material damage to the targeted facilities and resulted in power outages across most areas of the coastal city of Al Hudaydah, exacerbating the suffering of residents who are already facing difficult economic and humanitarian conditions.

The organization noted that targeting civilians and civilian objects, including the port and airport of Hodeidah and the power station by Israeli forces, is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights. These attacks constitute war crimes under international legal standards, which calls for immediate action from the international community to ensure accountability for those responsible and protect civilians.

Furthermore, SAM emphasized that relevant legal texts and principles, including the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), stipulate the protection of civilians during armed conflict. Attacks targeting civilian objects such as ports, airports, and power stations constitute a violation of this convention. Article 48 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions mandates that parties to a conflict distinguish between combatants and civilians, making targeting civilian objects a crime that should not be tolerated. Additionally, Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court states that intentional attacks against civilian objects or against civilians in armed conflict are considered war crimes. According to international humanitarian law, parties to a conflict must refrain from targeting civilian objects, and attacks should be directed solely against military objectives. Indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians and civilian objects are illegal, underscoring the importance of protecting civilians and adhering to international laws.

SAM pointed out that Hodeidah Port is a lifeline for many residents, through which approximately 70% of commercial imports and 80% of humanitarian aid pass. This significant reliance means that any deterioration in port operations has immediate and long-term impacts on the humanitarian situation in the country. Any damage inflicted on Hodeidah Port due to Israeli airstrikes is among the primary factors negatively affecting trade movement and food supplies in Yemen, exacerbating the hunger and poverty crisis in a country experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world as described by the United Nations.

The organization calls on the international community, including the United Nations, to take immediate action to investigate these violations and ensure accountability for those responsible. SAM emphasizes the necessity of respecting international law and protecting human rights. It also urges relief organizations to provide humanitarian assistance and support the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. The continuation of these conditions could lead to worsening humanitarian crises and increased instability in the region, necessitating an urgent and effective response to ensure civilian protection and meet their basic needs.