HRW accuses Israel of “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza
The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) considers that the Israeli authorities are carrying out “ethnic cleansing” in the Gaza Strip, where it has caused a “widespread, unjustified and systematic” forced displacement of Palestinians. It denounces that it has forced “almost the entire population” of the Strip to move, in many cases several times, and that these displacements, without “a credible military justification,” “more than ensuring the safety of civilians, they have caused serious damage.” ”.
This Thursday, HRW published an exhaustive 154-page report documenting these crimes, which it claims constitute “crimes against humanity.” “Forced displacement is widespread, systematic and intentional and is part of a State policy and constitutes a crime against humanity. We consider that these actions by the Israeli authorities amount to ethnic cleansing,” explained Nadia Hardman, refugee and migrant rights researcher at HRW, in a press conference.
Hardman has emphasized that displacement due to military operations can only be justified if there are no other alternatives. “Israel cannot simply rely on the presence of members of Palestinian armed groups to justify the displacement of civilians. “Israel would have to demonstrate that the displacement of civilians was, in each case, its only option,” he noted.
In the document titled Desperate, Hungry and Besieged: The Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, the organization highlights that 1.9 million residents of the enclave, 90% of the population, have been displaced.
HRW urges the United States, Germany and other countries to “immediately suspend arms transfers and military assistance to Israel,” and assured that those who continue to provide weapons to this country risk being complicit in its crimes. The international community, the report highlights, should condemn Israel’s forced displacement of the civilian population as war crimes and crimes against humanity, and pressure it through sanctions and other measures to put an end to this situation and protect lives. of civilians.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, more than 43,500 people have been killed and 86% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, according to data from the Gaza government controlled by the Islamist group Hamas. Hardman has noted that the extensive and often permanent damage in Gaza “is a deliberate attempt by the Israeli authorities to create conditions that will make return not only difficult but impossible for many Palestinians.”
