The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has escalated in recent years, particularly since October 2023. Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently released a report that brings attention to one of the most devastating aspects of this crisis—the deliberate and systematic deprivation of water to Palestinian civilians in Gaza by Israeli authorities.
According to HRW, this action, which has likely resulted in thousands of deaths, constitutes an act of genocide and a crime against humanity. The deliberate withholding of basic necessities like water, a critical element for survival, is not only a humanitarian crisis but a breach of international law and human rights standards.
The Deprivation of Water: A Calculated Policy
Water is essential for all forms of life, particularly for basic survival. However, since the beginning of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, Israeli authorities have taken deliberate steps to restrict access to safe water for Palestinians.
According to HRW’s findings, these actions go beyond mere negligence—they are a calculated effort to create conditions that will lead to the physical destruction of a significant portion of Gaza’s population.
One of the primary ways Israel has contributed to this water crisis is by cutting off water supplies to Gaza. Initially, in response to attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza, including shutting off all electricity, fuel, food, and water.
This blockade severely impacted Gaza’s infrastructure, which relied on electricity to operate critical services such as water pumps and sanitation systems. Without electricity, the water pumps were unable to deliver potable water, leaving millions of Palestinians without access to clean drinking water.
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Additionally, HRW reports that Israeli forces have intentionally destroyed or damaged Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure. These include the deliberate targeting of key water facilities, such as the Central Gaza wastewater treatment plant, which was progressively destroyed over several months.
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Satellite images from HRW corroborate these reports, showing the systematic damage inflicted on Gaza’s water systems, leaving the population without the means to access clean water.
The continued restriction on the entry of essential materials like water filtration systems and repair equipment further exacerbated the crisis. Even as international bodies, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), called on Israel to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, including water and food, Israel maintained its blockade.
This prolonged deprivation of water is not an isolated incident but a concerted effort to create living conditions that directly threaten the survival of Gaza’s civilian population.
Humanitarian Consequences: Thousands of Deaths
The humanitarian consequences of this water deprivation are dire. The lack of access to safe water has resulted in widespread disease and malnutrition, with particularly devastating effects on the most vulnerable members of Gaza’s population—infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
HRW reports that numerous individuals have contracted diseases like hepatitis A, diarrhea, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses, all linked to the lack of clean water and sanitation.
In addition to the immediate health risks, the denial of water has contributed to the rapid deterioration of Gaza’s healthcare system. Hospitals and clinics, already overwhelmed by the ongoing conflict, struggle to provide adequate care to the sick and injured due to the lack of basic resources, including clean water.
The widespread dehydration caused by the lack of water has likely led to the deaths of thousands of people, although official death tolls related specifically to water deprivation are not systematically tracked due to the collapse of healthcare infrastructure.
This mass deprivation, particularly the systematic destruction of water infrastructure, can only be described as a form of extermination. The Genocide Convention of 1948 clearly defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.
The deliberate and systematic denial of water to Gaza’s population fits within this definition, as it is a targeted attempt to bring about the physical destruction of a large portion of the Palestinian population.
Genocidal Intent and Accountability
HRW’s report goes further to argue that Israeli authorities’ actions in Gaza may amount to genocidal intent. Statements from high-ranking Israeli officials, such as former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who declared that there would be “no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel,” reveal a clear intention to subject Gaza’s population to inhumane living conditions.
When viewed in conjunction with the deprivation of water and other critical supplies, these statements can be interpreted as incitement to genocide.
The importance of intent in defining genocide is crucial. The Genocide Convention requires that genocide must be committed with the specific intent to destroy a group, in whole or in part.
In this case, the actions of Israeli authorities, combined with inflammatory rhetoric, strongly suggest that the intent to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza is not merely a byproduct of military strategy but a central aim of the blockade and deprivation campaign.
The systematic destruction of water infrastructure, the targeting of civilians, and the denial of humanitarian aid contribute to a pattern of conduct that is consistent with genocidal actions.
HRW also highlights the role of international governments in perpetuating these crimes by continuing to supply Israel with arms and military support.
Despite the clear evidence of ongoing violations of international law, some countries have failed to take decisive action to hold Israeli authorities accountable. Governments that continue to arm Israel or provide diplomatic cover for its actions are complicit in these violations, according to HRW.
International Responsibility and Action
As the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, the international community must take immediate and decisive action. Governments and international organizations must prioritize the protection of Palestinian civilians and ensure that Israeli authorities are held accountable for their actions.
This includes taking steps to prevent further genocidal acts in Gaza, such as ending arms sales to Israel, imposing targeted sanctions, and supporting efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
One crucial avenue for accountability is the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has already launched investigations into possible war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict.
The support of the ICC and other accountability mechanisms is essential to ensuring that justice is served and that those responsible for depriving Palestinians of water and other basic human rights are held to account.
Furthermore, international organizations must continue to push for the immediate lifting of the blockade on Gaza and ensure that humanitarian aid, including water and medical supplies, is allowed to reach those in need.
The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations must work together to provide immediate relief and support the reconstruction of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure.
It is also imperative for all governments to uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians from genocide and war crimes. This includes not only taking action against the perpetrators but also ensuring that future violations are prevented through diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and support for international justice efforts.
The deliberate deprivation of water to the Palestinian population in Gaza is not just a humanitarian tragedy—it is a crime against humanity and, as HRW argues, an act of genocide. The continued actions of Israeli authorities to cut off essential supplies, including water, fuel, and food, have created conditions that directly threaten the lives of millions of Palestinians.
The international community must take immediate action to hold Israel accountable for these violations and prevent further loss of life. It is essential that the world recognizes the magnitude of these actions and works together to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, and that the civilians of Gaza are protected from further harm.
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