Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of causing the deaths of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023 by depriving them of clean water. The organization claims this action amounts to genocide and extermination under international law.
“This deliberate policy, which is part of the mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, means Israeli authorities are guilty of the crime against humanity of extermination. This act also qualifies as an ‘act of genocide’ under the 1948 Genocide Convention,” HRW stated in a report released on Thursday.
The detailed 179-page report, titled “Extermination and Acts of Genocide: Israel Deliberately Depriving Palestinians in Gaza of Water,” reveals that Israeli authorities intentionally restricted access to clean water for drinking and sanitation, essential for survival.
The report highlights several measures taken by Israeli forces, including cutting off piped water supplies, restricting electricity and fuel necessary for water and sanitation systems, and deliberately damaging water infrastructure. Furthermore, the entry of critical water repair materials and supplies into Gaza was blocked.
“Water is fundamental to human survival, yet for over a year, the Israeli government has denied Palestinians in Gaza the bare minimum needed to sustain life,” said Tirana Hassan, HRW’s executive director. “This is not mere negligence; it is a calculated policy of deprivation leading to deaths from dehydration and disease. It constitutes the crime against humanity of extermination and an act of genocide.”
HRW conducted interviews with 66 Palestinians in Gaza, employees of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, healthcare workers, UN agency staff, and international aid organizations. The report also incorporated satellite imagery, photographs, videos, and data from doctors, epidemiologists, humanitarian groups, and water experts gathered between October 2023 and September 2024.
The findings concluded that Israeli policies have created living conditions designed to physically destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza, either wholly or partially. HRW claims that this constitutes one of the five “acts of genocide” defined by the 1948 Genocide Convention. Additionally, the report alleges genocidal intent based on the policies and statements made by some Israeli officials advocating the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel, however, has consistently denied accusations of genocide. Following the Hamas-led cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the conflict, Israeli officials have defended their actions as adhering to international law and protecting national security.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Israel’s foreign ministry said: “The truth is the opposite of HRW’s false claims. Since the war began, Israel has facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza, even while under constant Hamas attacks.”
Israel also emphasized that it ensured water infrastructure remained operational, stating that international partners had delivered water tankers through Israeli crossings. It added that over 1.2 million tons of humanitarian supplies had been allowed into Gaza, including in recent weeks.
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