On November 14, 2024, two significant reports emerged from prominent human rights organizations, highlighting grave allegations against Israel concerning its actions in Gaza over the past year. Both Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the United Nations Special Committee investigating Israeli practices have reported severe violations, including claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing, underlining the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian population.
The report titled "Hopeless, Starving, and Besieged" by HRW is nothing short of alarming. It asserts, based on extensive interviews and documentary evidence, the displacement of over 1.9 million Palestinians amounts to ethnic cleansing and war crimes. "The widespread, deliberate demolition of homes and civilian infrastructure has created conditions making it likely these people will be permanently displaced," the report stated.
Since October 2023, Israeli forces have reportedly executed systematic policies forcing civilians from their homes, often under the guise of military necessity. The report details how civilians have been killed even when trying to evacuate to areas designated as safe, and flows from this systematic dislocation have caused immense suffering. With over 90% of Gaza's population displaced, the devastation has compounded existing humanitarian challenges.
HRW's findings detail serious breaches of international law, emphasizing how the Israeli government has failed to adequately protect the vulnerable Palestinian population during forced evacuations, leading to countless deaths and injuries. "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," argues Nadia Hardman, a researcher with HRW. This assertion rings particularly hollow as the army's actions do not align with their stated intentions to minimize harm.
Meanwhile, the United Nations committee has also weighed in, stating unequivocally, "Israeli actions are consistent with the characteristics of genocide." This assessment marks a notable shift as the UN body has never before employed the term when discussing Israel's military strategies. The committee noted not just the physical destruction, but also the obliteration of necessary lifelines for Gaza's residents—food, water, and medical supplies.
The UN report detailed how the massive bombardments have devastated the fabric of life within Gaza, describing the sheer scale of destruction. Over 25,000 tons of munitions have been dropped, creating conditions tantamount to war crimes as infrastructure meant to support civilians – hospitals, schools, and homes – lies shattered.
Human Rights Watch called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate these allegations, stating, “What is happening is not just tragedy; it is part of state policy aimed to permanently rid Gaza of its Palestinian population.” The situation has reached dire proportions, with at least 43,700 lives lost, predominantly among women and children, according to local health statistics.
HRW has critiqued Israel's claims of legal military action, asserting they are built on weak justifications. The Israeli government argues its actions are justified under the pretext of self-defense against hostile factions operating among civilians. Yet, multiple reports underline the high civilian toll contradicting the claims of preserving safety.
This harsh reality has been vividly captured via satellite images and on-ground testimonies from those who have fled. The reports share harrowing accounts of families being forcibly removed from their homes, the loss of loved ones, and the relentless destruction of facilities they relied on.
One particularly harrowing figure echoed across both reports: about 1.95 million of Gaza's 2.2 million populace are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. UN bodies have described the humanitarian situation as worsening daily, with supplies being limited under stringent administrative controls. While the international community has condemned these actions, tangible measures to hold Israel accountable or to facilitate humanitarian aid remain limited.
Critics argue this response—or lack thereof—reflects the uneven political power dynamics at play. The U.S. State Department has consistently downplayed accusations of war crimes, asserting Israel's need to conduct military operations without adequately addressing the humanity underlying the plight of displaced Palestinians. Amid international calls for accountability and action, U.S. officials frequently rebut these reports, framing the narrative as justified military necessity.
This complex web of narratives, reports, and responses gives rise to questions about global accountability and the handling of humanitarian crises. The UN committee's usage of the term genocide is particularly poignant; it reflects not only on Israel's actions but also on the global community's responsibility to engage genuinely and impartially.
The urgent reports from both HRW and the UN committee process culminate not just as documentation of suffering but as clarion calls to action for the world. An immediate cessation of forced displacements of Palestinians throughout Gaza and serious attention to rebuilding lives and communities is needed.
Both reports serve as grave reminders of the vulnerabilities faced by civilian populations caught in the crosshairs of conflict. With international inquiries poised to continue, the focus now shifts—can the world rally to stand for those rendered voiceless, or will the cries for justice continue to go unheeded?
