NEW YORK — On Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report accusing Israel of systematically targeting and restricting the water supply in Gaza, which they claim has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. The organization referred to these actions as “acts of genocide,” joining a growing list of critics who have made similar accusations against Israel regarding its military actions in the region. Israel has strongly refuted these allegations, stating that its military efforts are focused on Hamas militants rather than the civilian population of Gaza.
The report details that countless individuals, including infants, children, and adults, have reportedly suffered and died due to malnutrition, dehydration, and disease stemming from the Israeli authorities’ actions over the past year. HRW alleges that Israel has deliberately cut the water and electricity supply to Gaza, incapacitated essential infrastructure, and obstructed the distribution of vital resources. Their findings assert that such actions represent a systematic attack against civilians, which can be classified under international law as a crime against humanity, specifically extermination.
While the report indicates a “pattern of conduct” that could suggest genocidal intent, HRW stopped short of a definitive conclusion, citing that proving intent is an essential hurdle in establishing whether genocide has transpired under international legal standards. Israel, established as a safe haven for Jews following the Nazi Holocaust, has firmly denied such accusations, asserting that Hamas, which operates within civilian infrastructure, is responsible for the devastation in Gaza. Israel contends that the attack by Hamas in October 2023, which was the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, should be characterized as genocide against its people.
In response to HRW’s claims, Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the organization for spreading falsehoods to further an anti-Israel agenda, asserting that they have consistently facilitated the flow of water and humanitarian aid to Gaza throughout the conflict. They reiterated their commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance complies with international law.
The HRW report outlines what it contends is a deliberate campaign by Israeli officials to deprive Gaza’s Palestinian population of water resources. As a result, the daily water supply per person has plummeted dramatically, from approximately 83 liters (21 gallons) prior to the conflict to between two and nine liters in the ensuing months. The World Health Organization maintains that individuals require between 50 to 100 liters a day to meet basic needs and manage health risks.
The organization has alleged that Israeli forces intentionally destroyed solar panels that powered four of Gaza’s six wastewater treatment facilities, as well as a critical reservoir. Further claims include cutting off the electricity necessary for desalination plants and limiting fuel for backup generators. HRW claims that, despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice in January that demanded Israel provide basic services to Palestinians, Israeli officials have disregarded these orders.
HRW’s conclusions stem from interviews with over 60 Palestinians, accounts from utility workers, healthcare professionals, and aid workers, along with satellite imagery analysis. Healthcare workers reported witnessing numerous fatalities attributed to a combination of malnutrition, dehydration, and disease among infants, children, and adults in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry maintained that it has continued operating four water pipelines and associated facilities, ensuring that international aid organizations can deliver water supplies. Additionally, medical aid group Doctors Without Borders echoed some of HRW’s concerns, releasing a report that accused Israel of deliberately attacking Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and imposing severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.
With two decades of operation in Gaza, Doctors Without Borders reported enduring over 40 assaults since the onset of this conflict, affecting healthcare facilities through airstrikes and military incursions. As of October, they noted that 19 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals had closed, and ongoing hostilities made access to operational hospitals nearly impossible for many residents.
According to their report, the issues of civilian attacks, the dismantling of healthcare systems, and the deprivation of food and water constitute a form of collective punishment being executed by Israeli authorities against the people of Gaza. They called for an immediate cessation of these actions.
In response to these allegations, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed the report as materially incorrect, stating that it does not target healthcare professionals and endeavors to facilitate aid. They also accused Doctors Without Borders of failing to acknowledge that Hamas co-opts hospitals for its operations.
The conflict has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences, with roughly 1,200 individuals killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, primarily civilians, alongside 250 individuals taken hostage. Over 45,000 Palestinians have reportedly died during Israel’s subsequent military campaign, over half of whom are women and children, according to local health authorities who do not distinguish between civilian casualties and combatants. The campaign has led to widespread destruction, displacing about 90% of Gaza’s populace, and creating a dire humanitarian crisis, as reported by U.N. estimates.
International organizations have raised alarm over Israel’s repeated restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza, stating that only a fraction of the necessary support is reaching those in need. Reports indicate that armed groups have also hijacked sizeable shipments of aid.
HRW’s report followed closely on the heels of accusations from Amnesty International, which similarly claimed that Israel had committed genocidal acts in Gaza. Israel has categorically rejected these charges, labeling them as entirely false and built upon misinformation. In parallel, the International Criminal Court is pursuing charges against Israeli leaders for potential war crimes linked to the ongoing conflict.