Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of using forced displacement against Palestinians in Gaza, describing it as a crime against humanity. The international rights group claims Israel is enforcing “deliberate and massive forced displacement,” moving Palestinian civilians through evacuation orders in violation of international law.
HRW report: forced displacement amounts to war crimes
The HRW report alleges that Israel’s policies, including evacuation orders and destruction of civilian infrastructure, violate the Geneva Conventions. HRW claims this displacement qualifies as a “war crime of forcible transfer,” a grave breach under international law, and demands that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates these actions.
HRW’s report highlights Israel’s continued creation of buffer zones within Gaza, an area it occupies. This policy has led to widespread demolitions, further displacing Palestinian families in the northern part of Gaza. Many residents report being trapped in a shrinking safe zone, with families being separated at checkpoints. Men are often held for questioning, while women and children are directed southward.
Forced displacement and destruction of Gaza
HRW says more than 90% of Gaza’s population – over 1.9 million Palestinians – have been displaced in the last 13 months. The group’s report highlights the intense destruction of civilian areas, including schools, religious sites, and cultural institutions, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Israel justifies the evacuation orders, claiming they protect civilians and serve “military imperatives.” Officials argue that displacement allows the military to target armed groups without harming civilians. However, HRW counters that the evacuations have actually endangered civilians, as even supposed “safe zones” are not free from attack.
Israel’s obligations under international law
International law obliges Israel, as an occupying force, to facilitate the safe return of displaced civilians. Instead, HRW argues, Israel has rendered vast areas of Gaza uninhabitable. The report states that creating buffer zones through forced displacement may amount to ethnic cleansing.
HRW calls on the ICC to investigate Israel’s actions and urges countries to apply targeted sanctions, including halting arms sales, in response.
Warnings from humanitarian groups
Nadia Hardman, HRW’s refugee rights expert, criticised Israel’s handling of Gaza’s civilian population. “The Israeli government cannot claim to protect Palestinians while cutting off essential resources and bombing safe zones,” she stated. She added that Israel has failed to meet its obligations, razing large areas and blocking displaced civilians’ right to return.
Plans for a prolonged presence in Gaza
Reports from Haaretz suggest Israeli forces intend to maintain a presence in Gaza until at least 2025, with plans to build military infrastructure. Maps allegedly distributed to Israeli soldiers detail plans to destroy buildings and establish roads in preparation for new military facilities.
Palestinian response
Palestinians in Gaza believe Israel is creating a buffer zone to facilitate Jewish settlements. A Beit Lahiya resident compared the situation to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, which displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. He described Israel’s actions as “ethnic cleansing” while accusing the global community of ignoring Gaza’s plight.
Israel has denied any intention to resettle Gaza. However, some of Israel’s far-right politicians have openly advocated for a return of settlers.
Regional tensions rise as Lebanon awaits ceasefire
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit Hezbollah-controlled areas of Beirut for a second consecutive day, heightening tensions as US officials push for a ceasefire. The latest attacks have caused significant destruction in Beirut’s southern suburbs, killing six people and displacing more families as Israel’s campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah continues.
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