Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing the denial of clean water as a key factor. The organization’s Middle East director, Lama Fakih, stated that the Israeli government is intentionally killing Palestinians by denying them access to the water they need to survive.
Israel has repeatedly denied these allegations, saying it has respected international law and defended itself after a Hamas-led attack from Gaza in October 2023. However, Human Rights Watch notes that proving genocide requires establishing intent, citing statements by senior Israeli officials that suggest a desire to destroy Palestinians.
According to the group, Israel stopped water being piped into Gaza and cut off electricity and fuel, rendering its own facilities unusable. Palestinians were left with only a few liters of water per day, below the 15-liter threshold for survival.
The accusations come after Amnesty International also used the term “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza last month. This is not the first time human rights groups have condemned Israel’s policies in the territory.
Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities across the border 14 months ago, killing over 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages back to Gaza. The conflict has resulted in over 45,000 Palestinian deaths and displacement of most of the 2.3 million population.
Human Rights Watch’s report is part of a growing trend of condemnation from international rights groups, including the International Criminal Court, which recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/human-rights-watch-says-israels-deprivation-water-gaza-is-act-genocide-2024-12-19