Human Rights Watch has claimed that the Israeli authorities have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by forcibly displacing the Palestinian people in Gaza. The organization claimed this in a report published on Thursday (November 14). British news agency Reuters reported this news.
In the report, various aid and international organizations warned about the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged region.
According to the report, Human Rights Watch's investigation found that forced displacement is widespread. It is part of the planned state policy. These acts are also considered as crimes against humanity.
Neither the Israeli military nor the foreign ministry had an immediate comment. However, Israeli authorities have previously denied such allegations. It said its forces are governed by international law.
Under the laws of armed conflict, the forcible removal of civilians from occupied territory is prohibited, unless it is necessary for the safety of civilians or is essential for military reasons.
According to Israeli authorities, on October 7 last year, Hamas attacked various locations in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 people hostage.
According to Gaza's health authorities, more than 43,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's operations since that day. Most of the infrastructure was destroyed. As a result, most of the 2.3 million people have been forced to relocate repeatedly.
Over the past month, Israeli forces have evacuated thousands of people from the northern Gaza towns of Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun in the name of destroying Hamas forces.
According to Human Rights Watch, this relocation of Palestinians is likely planned to be permanent. Especially in buffer zone and safety corridor areas. They termed this move as 'ethnic cleansing'.
But the Israeli military has denied creating a permanent buffer zone. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that Palestinians who were displaced from their homes in northern Gaza will be able to return to their homes once the war ends.
