Gaza mass displacement is a war crime: Human Rights Watch

Israel has overseen the forced mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza in a deliberate and systematic campaign that amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity, according to a new Human Rights Watch report.

The 154-page report, published by the US-based advocacy group on Thursday, details more than 13 months of widespread destruction in Gaza that, according to the United Nations, has seen the displacement of about 1.9 million Palestinians – more than 90% of the territory’s population.

In a statement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) cited the illegal and “deliberate, controlled demolitions of homes and civilian infrastructure”, by Israeli forces in Gaza “where they have apparent aims of creating buffer zones and security corridors, from which Palestinians are likely to be permanently displaced”.

“The Israeli government cannot claim to be keeping Palestinians safe when it kills them along escape routes, bombs so-called safe zones, and cuts off food, water, and sanitation,” said Nadia Hardman, a HRW migrant rights researcher.

“Israel has blatantly violated its obligation to ensure Palestinians can return home, razing virtually everything in large areas.”

In a response to the report on Thursday, the Israeli military said it is “committed to international law and operates accordingly”, and that it issues evacuation orders to protect civilians from combat.

The Israeli military also denied there was any “doctrine that aims to cause maximal damage to civilian infrastructure regardless of military necessity”, and said any “reports and complaints regarding the violation of international law” are referred to an internal review body.

Aid trucks looted

Data published by COGAT, the Israeli Ministry of Defence unit which overseas logistical coordination between Israel and the Gaza Strip, shows aid entering Gaza is at its lowest level since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The food situation is aggravated by looting that is keeping aid from those who need it most.

More than 100 aid trucks carrying desperately needed supplies in Gaza were "violently looted" on Saturday, according to the United Nations' Palestinian aid agency UNRWA.

The convoy of 109 trucks carrying food from UNRWA and the World Food Programme was travelling from the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Gaza on Saturday.

"The vast majority of the trucks, 97 in total, were lost and drivers were forced at gunpoint to unload aid," UNRWA said in a statement on social media.

The agency did not detail who had carried out the looting, but placed responsibility for the protection of aid convoys on the Israeli government.

"The Israeli authorities continue to disregard their legal obligations under international law to ensure the population's basic needs are met and to facilitate the safe delivery of aid," the statement said.

UNRWA claims Israeli authorities are turning a blind eye to armed mobs targeting aid convoys, seizing supplies for sale at inflated prices through Gaza.

Members of the United Nations Security Council called on Monday for a surge in assistance to reach people in need in Israeli-besieged Gaza, warning that the situation in the Palestinian enclave was getting worse.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there needs to be a "huge, huge rise in aid" to Gaza.

"The situation is devastating, and frankly, beyond comprehension, and it's getting worse, not better," Lammy said. "Winter's here. Famine is imminent, and 400 days into this war, it is totally unacceptable that it's harder than ever to get aid into Gaza."

READ MORE

“Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged” Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza (Human Rights Watch)

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of mass displacement in Gaza amounting to a war crime (CNN)

Armed gunmen loot more than 100 aid trucks in Gaza, according to the United Nations (ABC)

Members of UN Security Council call for surge in assistance to Gaza (Reuters)

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