Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity through its actions in Gaza, particularly by forcibly displacing Palestinians. According to HRW’s latest report, Israel’s operations have led to the mass displacement of around 1.9 million people in Gaza—approximately 90% of the territory’s population. This is part of what HRW describes as a “forcible transfer” of Gaza’s residents, a process that could be categorized as ethnic cleansing.
The report claims that these actions are systematic and part of a broader state policy by Israel. The United Nations (UN) also reported that 79% of Gaza is under Israeli-issued evacuation orders.
Israel’s Response to the Report
Israel has strongly rejected HRW’s accusations, calling the report “completely false and detached from reality.” Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to the claims via social media: “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.”
Marmorstein further emphasized that Israel would continue to act “in accordance with the law of armed conflict,” refuting allegations of intentional harm to civilians.
Hamas’s Role and HRW’s Additional Accusations
In its report, HRW also criticized Hamas for allegedly using civilians as human shields, claiming the group operates within civilian infrastructure, such as homes. The ongoing military operations in northern Gaza, which HRW says have displaced over 130,000 people, continue to fuel accusations on both sides. As of now, 75,000 people remain trapped in Gaza’s towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, where they face severe shortages of food and water, according to the UN.
International Law on Forced Displacement
Under international humanitarian law, forced displacement of civilians in an occupied territory is prohibited, except under certain conditions. HRW argues that Israel’s actions do not meet those conditions, especially the requirement that displaced civilians should be moved for security reasons or imperative military needs. Moreover, civilians must be provided with necessary supplies and accommodation, with the option to return home after the conflict ends. HRW claims that Israeli evacuation orders have been inconsistent, with many civilians receiving insufficient time or information to leave.
Destruction of Infrastructure and Creation of Buffer Zones
HRW further accuses Israel of intentionally demolishing civilian infrastructure, including homes, in a manner that suggests an intent to create permanent “buffer zones” along Gaza’s perimeter. The report notes that these zones are likely to force many people to remain displaced for the long term, which HRW says could amount to ethnic cleansing.
HRW also points to the Israeli military’s use of controlled demolitions in these zones as a means of altering Gaza’s territorial landscape. Israel has previously stated that this is not part of their military objectives. HRW’s report, however, suggests that Israeli officials are aiming to permanently alter the demographics of Gaza.
The US State Department’s Response
The U.S. government has weighed in on HRW’s report, with U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel clarifying that the U.S. “unequivocally disagreed” with the report’s characterizations of Israeli actions as genocide. Patel told reporters during a press briefing:
“We think that that kind of phrasing and those kind of accusations are certainly unfounded.”
This response highlights the ongoing diplomatic divide between the U.S. and those who believe Israel’s actions should be more heavily scrutinized by the international community.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Denies Long-Term Displacement
In response to accusations of ethnic cleansing, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently stated that displaced residents from northern Gaza would be allowed to return to their homes once the conflict is over. He firmly denied that Israel seeks to create permanent buffer zones or make territorial changes that would displace Palestinians permanently.
The Context of Israel’s Military Actions
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began after the unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 43,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israel maintains that its operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas and protecting its citizens from future attacks.
Conclusion: Continuing Displacement Amid Escalating Violence
As the conflict drags on, Gaza continues to be subjected to heavy airstrikes, ground operations, and a devastating blockade that has left the civilian population struggling for basic needs. With Israel’s military efforts showing no sign of slowing down, and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing are likely to continue to dominate the international conversation.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
