Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on governments around the world to take urgent and concrete measures to protect civilians in Gaza, warning that U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly announced “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” offers no substitute for justice or protection.

In a statement issued on Monday, HRW said the 20-part plan, unveiled on September 29, fails to address the catastrophic human rights crisis that has unfolded since October 7, 2023. The organization urged governments to impose arms embargoes, enact targeted sanctions, and support the International Criminal Court (ICC) to stop the ongoing violations and hold perpetrators accountable.

“The two years since October 7, 2023, have brought a seemingly endless stream of atrocities against civilians for which there has been no letup or justice,” said Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch. “Governments should not wait for the adoption of Trump’s or any other plan to take action to prevent further harm to those most at risk.”

According to HRW, the toll on civilians in Gaza has been catastrophic. Israeli military operations have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, most of them women and children, while razing entire neighborhoods and towns.

The group said Israeli forces have “used starvation as a weapon of war,” causing famine and forcibly displacing nearly all of Gaza’s population multiple times.

Human Rights Watch said that the United Nations, human rights groups, and the media have consistently documented Israeli actions that amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.

The Israeli government, it added, has “demonstrated contempt for its fundamental obligations under international law,” violating multiple rulings by the International Court of Justice.

“Entire families have been wiped out, and on average, the equivalent of an entire classroom of children has been killed every day,” HRW reported, describing the devastation as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history.

The organization also warned that the destruction of Gaza’s homes, hospitals, schools, and civilian infrastructure has rendered the territory virtually uninhabitable.

In the occupied West Bank, HRW documented the killing and maiming of hundreds of Palestinians, mass arbitrary detentions without charge, and forced displacement, carried out largely by Israeli forces and, increasingly, armed settlers acting with impunity.

HRW emphasized that accountability cannot depend on political negotiations or “peace plans” that ignore the suffering on the ground. It urged all states to adopt firm, coordinated measures, including pressuring Israel to lift its unlawful blockade and allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza; Suspending arms transfers to all parties implicated in violations; Imposing targeted sanctions and travel bans on Israeli officials and others responsible for abuses; And Supporting the ICC and opposing any attempts to undermine its work or intimidate its officials.

“The failure to uphold international law in Gaza and Israel undermines the entire global system designed to protect civilians in war,” HRW warned. “When powerful states or their allies disregard these norms without consequence, they erode protections for all victims of armed conflict.”

Shakir concluded, “Decades of empty peace processes have shown the folly of relying on diplomacy without accountability. Governments must act now—before more lives are lost—to protect Gaza’s two million Palestinians and the remaining Israeli hostages.”