Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of Acts of Genocide in Gaza

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Thursday accusing Israel of committing acts of genocide and extermination against Palestinians in Gaza by denying them access to clean water. According to HRW, the Israeli government’s actions constitute a violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention and amount to crimes against humanity.

Key Findings of the Report

HRW’s report states that thousands of Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s policies, which have allegedly deprived Gaza’s population of access to clean water. “This policy, inflicted as part of a mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, means Israeli authorities have committed the crime against humanity of extermination, which is ongoing. This policy also amounts to an ‘act of genocide’ under the Genocide Convention of 1948,” the report said.

The 184-page report highlights that Israel stopped the flow of piped water into Gaza, cut off electricity, and restricted fuel supplies. These actions rendered Gaza’s water and sanitation facilities inoperable, leaving Palestinians with access to only a few liters of water per day—well below the 15-liter-per-day threshold required for survival, according to HRW.

Israel’s Response

Israel has categorically denied the allegations of genocide. The country’s foreign ministry described HRW’s report as “lies” in a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The ministry stated, “Since the beginning of the war, Israel has facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza, despite operating under constant attacks of Hamas terror organization.”

Israel claimed it had kept Gaza’s water infrastructure operational and facilitated the entry of water tankers through Israeli crossings. The ministry noted that over 1.2 million tons of humanitarian supplies had been sent into Gaza, including water shipments delivered by international partners.

Legal Implications and Genocide Definition

The HRW report argues that the deprivation of water “may amount to the crime of genocide” if the intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group—as defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention—can be established. The convention was adopted in response to the Holocaust and defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

HRW cited statements made by certain senior Israeli officials, which it claims indicate an intent to “destroy Palestinians.” These statements, according to the report, could be used as evidence of genocidal intent in a court of law.

Broader Context and Previous Allegations

This is not the first time Israel has faced allegations of genocide. Amnesty International also released a report earlier this month accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Both HRW and Amnesty’s reports come just weeks after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Both officials have denied any wrongdoing.

Impact on Gaza’s Population

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has led to extensive destruction. Israeli forces responded to the attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw over 250 hostages taken into Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, more than 45,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and large portions of the coastal enclave have been reduced to rubble.

Conclusion

The Human Rights Watch report has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza and raised questions about potential legal consequences under international law. While HRW alleges that Israel’s denial of clean water constitutes genocide, Israel maintains that it has acted in accordance with international law and facilitated humanitarian aid. The issue is expected to attract further international attention, especially in light of ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court.