The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a 179-page report on Gaza today, entitled “Extermination and Acts of Genocide—Israel Deliberately Depriving Palestinians in Gaza of Water”. It documents Israel’s deliberate attacks on water infrastructure and restrictions on water availability, amounting to an “act of genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity.” As a result of Israel’s actions, civilians in Gaza have been forced to resort to consuming contaminated water, leading to the outbreak of lethal diseases, hitting children the hardest. Thousands have died as a consequence. So, without even considering the indiscriminate bombing, genocide was being carried out.
As evidence, HRW cites public statements by Israeli ministers declaring their intent to cut off water. One such declaration was made on Oct. 9, 2023 by then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza. “There will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything is closed,” Gallant said. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Gallant on charges of war crimes. Two days after Gallant’s comments, then Energy Minister (now Defense Minister) Israel Katz also called for the cutoff of water, electricity, and fuel supplies to Gaza.
Lama Fakih, the director of HRW’s Middle East and North Africa division, said that “Israeli authorities at the most senior level were responsible for the destruction, including the deliberate destruction, of water and sanitation infrastructure, the prevention of repairs to damaged water and sanitation infrastructure and the cutting off or severe restrictions on water, electricity and fuel.” She continued, “These acts have likely caused thousands of deaths and will likely continue to cause deaths into the future, including after the cessation of hostilities.”
Health officials have reported at least 670,000 cases of acute diarrhea and 132,000 cases of jaundice, which is a sign of hepatitis. These and other diseases would be easily treated in most cases. However, in Gaza, hospitals and medical infrastructure have been completely destroyed, and dehydration and malnutrition have weakened the population. The fatality rate for children with hepatitis A in most of the world is about 1%, but in Gaza it is fatal in 5-10% of the cases.
