Human Rights Watch Alleges “Acts of Genocide” by Israel in Gaza Regarding Water Access

Human Rights Watch has leveled an accusation against Israel, stating it is committing “acts of genocide” in Gaza through the intentional denial of sufficient water access to Palestinian civilians. The organization asserts that Israel’s conduct involves deliberately harming water and sanitation infrastructure. According to the advocacy group, these actions have likely resulted in thousands of fatalities, which it also considers to be equivalent to “committing the crime against humanity of extermination”. Israel dismissed the report from HRW, labeling it “propaganda”. The spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry stated on X that the group was “once more spreading its blood libels… The truth is the complete opposite of HRW’s lies”. The 179-page document indicates that “since October 2023, Israeli authorities have deliberately obstructed Palestinians’ access to the adequate amount of water required for survival in the Gaza Strip”. It further states that Israel intentionally damaged infrastructure, such as solar panels that power treatment plants, a reservoir, and a spare parts warehouse, concurrently preventing the delivery of fuel for generators. The report also claims that Israel severed electricity provisions, assaulted repair personnel, and hindered the entry of repair materials into Gaza. HRW executive director Tirana Hassan commented, “This isn’t just negligence.” She added, “It is a calculated policy of deprivation that has led to the deaths of thousands from dehydration and disease that is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide.” The foundation of the report includes interviews conducted with numerous Palestinians in Gaza, among them officials from water authorities, sanitation specialists, and healthcare professionals, alongside an analysis of satellite imagery and data spanning from October 2023 to September 2024. Israel initiated a significant military operation in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals being taken hostage. Since the commencement of this offensive, at least 45,129 people have been killed in Gaza, according to figures from the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. This ministry has not provided a specific count for deaths attributed to insufficient water access or similar reasons. The HRW report points out that for actions to be classified as the crime of genocide, they must be supported by evidence of intent. It suggests that the report’s conclusions, encompassing remarks by high-ranking Israeli officials, “may indicate such intent”. However, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein, refuting HRW’s accusations on X, stated that Israel had enabled “the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza, despite operating under constant attacks of Hamas terror organisation”. He asserted that water pipelines, as well as pumping and desalination facilities, continued to function, and that water tankers had consistently transported supplies into Gaza via Israeli crossings. He further remarked, “This report is full of lies that are appalling even when compared to HRW’s already low standards.” The HRW report represents the most recent in a series of claims made by human rights organizations and other entities, alleging that Israel is perpetrating genocide during its military campaign in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the UN’s highest court, is also presently reviewing a case initiated by South Africa, which accuses Israel of genocide. The Genocide Convention of 1948, established after the Nazi Holocaust of European Jewry, defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”. Israel has strongly rejected these allegations, describing them as “wholly unfounded” and motivated by antisemitism. It maintains that it has not deliberately harmed civilians in Gaza and that its conflict is solely against Hamas. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its policy on external linking is available.