Byline: Human Rights Press Staff
Published: Dec 19, 2024
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza by deliberately depriving Palestinian civilians of sufficient access to water, a claim rejected by Israeli authorities as baseless propaganda.
The 179-page HRW report asserts that Israel intentionally damaged critical water and sanitation infrastructure, obstructing access to water essential for survival. The group says this deprivation has likely caused thousands of deaths, describing it as “tantamount to the crime against humanity of extermination.”
Key Allegations
HRW’s report highlights several actions it attributes to Israeli authorities:
- Intentional damage to solar panels powering treatment plants, a reservoir, and a spare parts warehouse.
- Blocking fuel supplies for generators and repair materials.
- Cutting electricity supplies and targeting repair workers.
HRW Executive Director Tirana Hassan stated, “This is a calculated policy of deprivation that has led to the deaths of thousands from dehydration and disease. It constitutes an act of genocide and the crime against humanity of extermination.”
The report draws on interviews with Gaza residents, water authority officials, sanitation experts, and healthcare workers, as well as satellite imagery and data from October 2023 to September 2024.
Israel’s Response
Israel has rejected HRW’s findings, describing them as “appalling lies.” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein responded on X (formerly Twitter), claiming Israel facilitated the “continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza,” even under Hamas’s attacks. He stated that water pipelines, pumping, and desalination facilities remain operational and that water tankers have delivered supplies via Israeli crossings.
Marmorstein labeled HRW’s report as “propaganda” and reiterated that Israel’s military actions target Hamas, not civilians.
Context and Impact
Israel launched a major military offensive in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 45,129 people have been killed since the offensive began, though no specific figures are provided for deaths linked to the lack of water.
HRW’s report claims the actions might meet the criteria for genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.”
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently examining a separate case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. Israel has consistently denied such allegations, dismissing them as “unfounded” and motivated by antisemitism.
Global Reactions
The HRW report has reignited debates about Israel’s conduct in Gaza, with rights groups and legal experts weighing in on the claims of genocide. While HRW emphasizes evidence suggesting intent, Israeli officials maintain that their actions are directed solely at dismantling Hamas and ensuring national security.
This case adds to the growing international scrutiny of Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza, with potential implications for future legal and diplomatic proceedings.
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