Human Rights Watch Alleges Israel Committed War Crimes Through Forced Displacement in Gaza

A report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) states that Israel has perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity through the intentional mass displacement of Palestinians within Gaza. The UN indicates that approximately 1.9 million individuals, constituting 90% of Gaza’s population, have departed their residences in the last year, with 79% of the area subject to Israeli-issued evacuation directives. HRW’s report characterizes these actions as “forcible transfer,” asserting that “evidence shows it has been systematic and part of a state policy.” The organization further suggests that Israel’s conduct seemingly “meet the definition of ethnic cleansing.” Israel responded by stating the report was “completely false and detached from reality.” Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs, posted on X that, “Contrary to claims in HRW’s report, Israel’s efforts are directed solely at dismantling Hamas’s terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza.” He further stated that Israel would “continue to operate in accordance with the law of armed conflict.” HRW has also leveled accusations against Hamas, alleging the use of civilians as human shields by conducting operations from within homes and civilian infrastructure. The publication of the report coincided with an ongoing ground offensive by Israeli forces in northern Gaza, which has resulted in the displacement of up to 130,000 individuals in the preceding five weeks. The UN has reported that 75,000 people are still under siege, facing diminishing provisions of water and food in the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, areas where the Israeli military asserts it is working to prevent a Hamas resurgence. According to the laws of war, the compulsory relocation of any civilians within an occupied territory is forbidden, except when essential for their safety or due to an urgent military necessity. For displacement to be considered legal, civilians must be relocated securely and supplied with housing and vital provisions. Additionally, they must have the ability to return to their residences once hostilities in the region cease. HRW’s report, which draws on interviews with displaced Palestinians, an examination of Israeli evacuation directives, satellite images depicting building destruction, and videos and photographs of attacks, concludes that no credible imperative military reason exists to warrant the displacement of almost all of Gaza’s population, and that the other prerequisites for lawful displacement have similarly not been satisfied. The US-based organization asserts that Israeli evacuation orders have been “inconsistent, inaccurate, and frequently not communicated to civilians with enough time,” and that these orders “did not consider the needs of people with disabilities and others who are unable to leave.” It further states that Israeli forces have also “repeatedly struck designated evacuation routes and safe zones.” The report accuses Israeli authorities of obstructing “all but a small fraction of the necessary humanitarian aid, water, electricity, and fuel from reaching civilians in need,” and of conducting attacks that have harmed and demolished essential resources such as hospitals and bakeries. HRW additionally alleges that Israel’s military has “intentionally demolished or severely damaged civilian infrastructure, including controlled demolitions of homes, with the apparent aim of creating an extended ‘buffer zone’ along Gaza’s perimeter with Israel and a corridor which will bifurcate Gaza.” The organization cautions that, “The destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people.” Israeli government ministers are also quoted as stating that Gaza’s territory would be reduced and that land would be allocated to Israeli settlers. HRW states, “Forced displacement has been widespread, and the evidence shows it has been systematic and part of a state policy. Such acts also constitute crimes against humanity.” It further asserts that the “organised, violent displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, who are members of another ethnic group, is likely planned to be permanent in the buffer zones and security corridors,” and that these actions “amount to ethnic cleansing.” In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming the report “both selectively presents information in a manner that obscures context, as well as makes certain blatant misrepresentations.” The IDF added that, “The IDF’s warnings to members of the civilian population to temporarily distance themselves from areas expected to be exposed to intense warfare are made in accordance with the obligation under international law to take feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm by providing advance warnings prior to attacks.” It also stated, “The IDF only operates in areas in which there is known to be a military presence, and is still at this time working to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure in various parts throughout the Gaza Strip.” The IDF has also previously refuted claims that it intends to establish permanent buffer zones, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently stated that individuals displaced from northern Gaza would be permitted to return to their homes following the conclusion of the conflict. Additionally, on Thursday, a special committee of the UN General Assembly published a new report asserting that Israel’s combat tactics in Gaza are “consistent with the characteristics of genocide, with mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.” Israel has strongly rejected allegations that its forces are perpetrating genocide in Gaza. During a press briefing held on Thursday, US state department spokesman Vedant Patel informed reporters that the US “unequivocally disagreed” with the assertion that Israeli warfare methods aligned with genocide. He commented, “We think that that kind of phrasing and those kind of accusations are certainly unfounded.” Israel initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas following the group’s unprecedented assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, an event that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals being taken hostage. Since that time, over 43,700 people have died in Gaza, as reported by the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.