Date Published: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Category: International
New York – Human Rights Watch (HRW), an organization dedicated to the defense of human rights, has accused the Israeli entity of deliberately depriving Gaza residents of access to adequate water, as part of an ongoing campaign of annihilation. The report, released on Thursday, highlights that this deliberate deprivation has likely resulted in thousands of deaths, amounting to a crime against humanity and genocide.
According to HRW, the Israeli entity has, since October 2023, “intentionally deprived Palestinian civilians in Gaza of sufficient water, likely leading to thousands of deaths and constituting a crime against humanity of genocide.”
The report outlines how water supplies to Gaza were first halted, later restricted, and that most of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been incapacitated due to power cuts and fuel blockades. Additionally, the entity has reportedly destroyed or severely damaged water infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and water treatment materials while blocking the entry of essential water supplies.
Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, stated:
“Water is essential for human life, yet for over a year, the [Israeli entity] has deliberately denied Palestinians in Gaza the minimum they need to survive. This is not mere negligence; it is a calculated policy of deprivation that has caused thousands of deaths from dehydration and disease. It is a crime against humanity and an act of genocide.”
The report further details the intentional destruction of healthcare systems in Gaza alongside water and sanitation facilities.
Hassan called on governments worldwide to act:
“Governments should not be complicit in the atrocities committed by [Israeli officials] in Gaza, including crimes against humanity and acts of genocide. They must take all possible steps to prevent further harm.”
HRW urged countries supplying arms to the Israeli entity to end their complicity in these heinous crimes. It also called for an immediate halt to military aid, a review of bilateral agreements, and a reevaluation of diplomatic relations with the occupying force to protect Palestinian civilians effectively.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
