HRW: – Israel Commits Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza

By VG*NO - Human Synthesis-14 November 2024

Human Rights Watch (HRW) accuses Israel of committing crimes against humanity in Gaza and urges the world to impose sanctions on the country. HRW concludes that Israel’s warfare over the last 13 months has displaced 90 percent of Gaza's population and caused massive destruction.

"Contrary to what Israeli authorities claim, their actions are not in accordance with the laws of war," writes HRW in a press release on Thursday.

In the report "Hopeless, Starved, and Besieged: Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza," Israeli forces are accused of carrying out intentional, controlled demolitions of homes and civilian infrastructure. This includes areas where Israel, according to HRW, seems to have plans to create "buffer zones" and security corridors.

Permanent Displacement

The organization notes that these are areas from which Palestinians will likely be permanently displaced.

"The Israeli government cannot claim to protect Palestinians when they kill them along the routes they must use to escape, bomb so-called safe zones, and cut off supplies of food, water, and hygiene items," says Nadia Hardman, a researcher on refugee and migrant rights at HRW.

"Israel has shamelessly violated its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can return home by destroying practically everything in large areas," she continues.

Blames Hamas

Since the war began on October 7 last year, Israel has maintained that it follows the rules of war. When it has attacked civilian areas, it has blamed Hamas, accusing it of waging war against Israel from civilian areas.

However, according to HRW, there is no military justification for displacing nearly all of Gaza's population, and it calls on the world to respond with sanctions and an end to arms deliveries.

In the report, HRW interviewed 39 displaced Palestinians, analyzed Israel's evacuation system – including 184 evacuation orders – and reviewed satellite images confirming extensive destruction. They have also verified videos and photos of attacks on areas Israel has defined as safe zones and evacuation routes.