Israel Accused of War Crimes in Gaza: HRW Report Alleges Deliberate Forced Displacement
A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israeli authorities of committing war crimes by deliberately and permanently displacing Palestinians in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.
The report, released today, cites satellite imagery, Israeli forced evacuation orders, and statements from high-ranking officials as evidence of a systematic effort to make returning to large areas of Gaza impossible.
HRW highlights the creation of “buffer zones” along the Gaza-Israel border as a key element in this strategy. While Israeli officials argue that these zones are necessary for security, HRW claims they are being used to raze homes, fields, and infrastructure, effectively making these areas uninhabitable for Palestinians. The report also notes that the evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces are often unclear and contradictory, making it difficult for residents to understand where and when to move.
HRW argues that the deliberate nature of these actions, backed by statements from Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, constitutes a war crime. The report points out that Netanyahu, while initially calling for a “fire zone” around Gaza, changed his stance on the eve of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding allegations of genocide against Israel.
The report comes amidst growing concern over the situation in Gaza, with several Palestinian human rights organizations warning of a systematic effort to “empty northern Gaza of its residents.”
Adding to the tension, some hardline Israeli politicians have publicly expressed their desire to resettle the Gaza Strip with Israeli settlers. A recent conference titled “Preparing to Settle Gaza” featured workshops on establishing new settlements in the war-torn territory.
