Official statements or press releases from international human rights organizations

HRW Report Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza, Citing Thousands Dead from Water Deprivation

Dec 19, 2024, 08:45 AM

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a 179-page report titled 'Extermination and Acts of Genocide: Israel Deliberately Depriving Palestinians in Gaza of Water,' accusing Israeli authorities of committing the crime of extermination and acts of genocide in Gaza by intentionally depriving Palestinians of access to clean water. HRW's Middle East director, Lama Fakih, stated, 'What we have found is that the Israeli government is intentionally killing Palestinians in Gaza by denying them the water that they need to survive.' The report alleges that Israel's actions have led to thousands of deaths due to dehydration and waterborne diseases. HRW asserts that Israeli authorities have deliberately damaged water infrastructure and restricted water supplies to civilians, creating conditions calculated to destroy part of the population in Gaza. The organization calls on the international community to impose targeted sanctions on Israel to prevent further atrocities. Israeli officials have denied these allegations, describing them as 'appalling lies' and 'blood libel.'