Jerusalem: Israeli authorities have forcibly displaced Palestinian people in Gaza to an extent that amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch on Thursday.
The report, which adds to a growing body of evidence from aid groups and international organisations, paints a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
The rights organisation found that the forced displacement of Palestinians has been widespread and systematic, constituting part of a state policy. “The evidence shows that forced displacement has been systematic, and such acts constitute crimes against humanity,” the report states.
The Israeli military and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to the allegations. However, Israeli officials have previously rejected such claims, asserting that their military operations are in line with international law. Under the law of armed conflict, the forcible displacement of civilians from occupied territory is prohibited unless necessary for civilian security or military objectives.
The Israeli invasion of Gaza last year followed an attack by Hamas gunmen, who killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Since the invasion, the Israeli campaign has led to the deaths of over 43,500 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza’s health authorities. This has forced much of Gaza’s 2.3 million population to relocate multiple times.
For the past month, Israeli troops have moved tens of thousands of people from northern Gaza as part of their efforts to target Hamas forces believed to be regrouping around the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun. Human Rights Watch asserts that the displacement of Palestinians is likely intended to be permanent, particularly in designated buffer zones and security corridors, which it argues amounts to “ethnic cleansing.”
In response, Israeli officials have denied any intention to establish permanent buffer zones. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza would be allowed to return after the conflict ends.
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