Human Rights Watch Warns of 'Ethnic Cleansing' in Gaza

Human Rights Watch, in a 172-page report released on Thursday, November 15, states that Israel's repeated orders for the evacuation of Gaza constitute 'war crimes of forced displacement' and 'ethnic cleansing.' The report notes, 'Human Rights Watch has gathered evidence showing that Israeli officials... are committing the war crime of forced displacement.' The organization adds, 'It appears that Israel's actions align with the definition of ethnic cleansing in areas where Palestinians are unable to return.' Although Israel claims that displacement is justified for civilian security or military requirements, the report asserts, 'Israel cannot simply rely on the presence of armed groups to justify the displacement of civilians.' Israel entered Gaza following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, to destroy the group and free 251 hostages. Israel denies violating international laws and has consistently urged civilians to move to humanitarian areas during its military operations against Hamas, which is hidden within civilian infrastructure and a network of tunnels beneath residential areas. Last month, following an incursion by Israeli tanks at the entrance of a peacekeeping forces' base in southern Lebanon, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that any attack on peacekeeping forces could be considered a 'war crime.' According to Reuters, Guterres' spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated, 'The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL locations and personnel should never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers violate international law, including humanitarian law.' Amid Israeli attacks on positions of Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping forces' headquarters in the area was attacked twice, resulting in several peacekeepers being injured. The Israeli Prime Minister expressed regret over the injuries to peacekeepers, stating that the Israeli army is making every effort to prevent such incidents from occurring again, but 'the simple and clear way to ensure this is to withdraw them from the danger zone.' Benjamin Netanyahu, in a message to Antonio Guterres, stated, 'Your refusal to evacuate UN peacekeeping forces [from combat areas] turns them into hostages of Hezbollah,' endangering the lives of Israeli soldiers and these forces. The relationship between the Israeli government and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has soured in recent months due to his approach towards Israel's war with Iranian-backed militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon. Netanyahu: Hezbollah uses peacekeepers as human shields. Hezbollah's attack on Israel; 67 injured. Gallant: We will not allow Hezbollah to re-establish itself in border areas. Italy: Israeli attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable. The Israeli Foreign Minister defended the country's decision to ban the entry of the UN Secretary-General into Israel.