CNN
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Israel has overseen the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in a planned and systematic operation that amounts to a war crime and crimes against humanity, according to a new Human Rights Watch report.
The 154-page report released Thursday by the U.S.-based advocacy group details more than 13 months of widespread destruction in Gaza, and according to the United Nations, nearly 90% of the Palestinian population An estimated 1.9 million Palestinians have been forced to flee. population of the territory.
In a statement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) cited the illegal and “deliberate and controlled destruction of housing and civilian infrastructure” by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, adding: “They have established a ‘buffer zone’ in the Gaza Strip. It has the clear purpose of creating a security corridor.” Palestinians are likely to be permanently expelled. ”
“The Israeli government is not keeping Palestinians safe, even as it kills them on their way to escape, bombs so-called safe zones, and cuts off food, water, and sanitation.”HRW said Nadia Hardman, a refugee and immigrant rights researcher at .
“Israel has blatantly violated its obligations to ensure the return of Palestinians and destroyed nearly all of the vast area.”
In response to the report on Thursday, the Israeli military said it was “observing and acting in accordance with international law” and issuing evacuation orders to protect civilians from the fighting.
The Israeli military also denies the existence of a “doctrine aimed at inflicting maximum damage to civilian infrastructure, regardless of military necessity,” and says that “reports and complaints regarding violations of international law” must be submitted to an internal review body. He said he would be referred.
Over the past year, Israel has been accused by human rights groups and UN investigators of military actions that may amount to war crimes, charges that Israel has vociferously denied. Hamas has also been accused of war crimes.
In October, a United Nations investigation said Israel was pursuing a “cooperative policy” to destroy Gaza’s health system, constituting a war crime.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs called these accusations “outrageous” and said they were “another attempt by the[Committee]to delegitimize the very existence of the State of Israel and obstruct the right of the Israeli people to protect their people while concealing the crimes of a terrorist organization.” “It’s a blatant attempt,” he said. ”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that “Israel has no intention of occupying Gaza permanently or displacing its civilian population.”
On Sunday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Palestinians could return to their homes in northern Gaza once the war ends, but not before Israel’s objectives are achieved.
However, several Israeli ministers have said they want the Palestinians to leave Gaza and re-establish Israeli settlements there.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said on January 1 that “we must promote solutions that encourage the migration of Gazans.”
And Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister who also serves in the defense ministry, said Israel “will rule[Gaza].” And in order to safely govern it for a long time, the presence of civilians is necessary. ”
HRW’s report comes after the US State Department announced on Tuesday that Israel was not violating US law after a 30-day deadline to take concrete steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. However, this position is in stark contrast to the results of this survey. Aid organizations expressed their views on the tragic reality of the enclaves.
Aid agencies say the situation in northern Gaza is apocalyptic and Israel’s continued military attacks put the region at imminent risk of famine.
Human Rights Watch said Israeli operations in northern Gaza are likely to displace hundreds of thousands more civilians.
The group called on countries to halt arms sales to Israel and impose sanctions on the Jewish state to encourage it to comply with its international obligations to protect civilians. It also called on the International Criminal Court to investigate the alleged forced displacement of Palestinians as a crime against humanity.
This story has been updated with additional information.
