In a report issued today, Human Rights Watch called on governments around the world to pressure Israel to stop the forced displacement of civilians in the Gaza Strip, describing these practices as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The organization pointed out that the occupying authorities are responsible for the mass forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents of Gaza since October 2023, with the number of displaced individuals exceeding 90% of the population of the strip, equivalent to approximately 1.9 million people. It noted that Israeli attacks have led to widespread destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure in an attempt to create "buffer zones" and "military corridors," which could amount to ethnic cleansing.

The report confirmed that Israel has systematically targeted homes, hospitals, schools, water and energy networks, and bakeries, rendering vast areas of Gaza uninhabitable. It also prevented access to essential humanitarian aid such as water and fuel, except in limited quantities.

The organization urged the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to investigate the displacement of Palestinians and their prevention from returning to their homes as a crime against humanity, and called for condemnation of any efforts to intimidate court officials or interfere in its work.

Researcher Nadia Hardman clarified that "the transfer of weapons and aid to Israel by countries such as the United States and Germany amounts to a blank check to commit further atrocities and places these countries at risk of complicity in war crimes."

Human Rights Watch also called for the adoption of targeted sanctions and a review of bilateral agreements with Israel to pressure it to comply with international obligations to protect civilians. It called for an immediate suspension of arms transfers to Israel, warning that continued military support places countries at risk of complicity in the crimes being committed.

The organization concluded its report by emphasizing that the blockade imposed on Gaza for 17 years is part of the ongoing crimes against humanity, characterized by the apartheid and persecution practiced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinians.

It is well known that the forced displacement of Palestinians is considered one of the most complex and sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here are details about this process and the position of Human Rights Watch on it:

1. The Concept of Forced Displacement of Palestinians:

The forced displacement of Palestinians refers to the policies and actions taken by the Israeli authorities to compel Palestinians to leave their homes and lands, whether through home demolitions, land confiscation, not granting building permits, or implementing forced population transfers. These practices occur in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and other areas of the occupied Palestinian territories.

2. Methods of Forced Displacement:

• Home demolitions: The legal pretext of unauthorized construction is used to demolish Palestinian homes, despite the difficulty of obtaining building permits from the Israeli authorities.

• Land confiscation: Authorities confiscate Palestinian land for the purpose of building settlements or creating infrastructure projects that serve settlers.

• Legal and administrative pressure: This includes imposing strict movement restrictions, preventing family reunification, and other discriminatory measures that make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to remain in certain areas.

• Direct eviction: In some cases, families are forcibly evicted from their homes without providing suitable alternatives or compensation.

3. Human Rights Watch's Position:

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organization, has been outspoken in its criticism of Israeli policies that lead to the displacement of Palestinians. The organization views these practices as violations of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from forcibly transferring or deporting the population of occupied territories. The organization believes that these actions could amount to war crimes if there is evidence of intent to systematically expel the population.

4. Reports and Condemnations:

Human Rights Watch has published numerous reports documenting cases of forced displacement and exposing the violations faced by Palestinians. In some of its reports, the organization described Israeli policies as part of a system aimed at entrenching the dominance of one ethnic group over another, which may amount to the crime of apartheid.

5. International Reactions:

Through its reports and appeals, Human Rights Watch seeks to mobilize international support to pressure Israel to halt its forced displacement policies. The organization calls on the international community to take practical steps, such as imposing sanctions or restrictions on the export of equipment used to demolish homes and confiscate land.

6. Examples of Forced Displacement:

• Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem: One of the most prominent cases where attempts have been made to evict Palestinian families in favor of Israeli settlers based on lawsuits.

• Villages in the northern Jordan Valley: Facilities and homes in these areas have been repeatedly demolished, forcing their residents to leave.

Conclusion:

Human Rights Watch considers the forced displacement of Palestinians a systematic policy aimed at changing the demographic makeup of the occupied territories. It has repeatedly called for an end to these practices as illegal and contrary to international human rights standards.