Gaza: The forcible displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip constitutes a crime against humanity, Amnesty International stated on Wednesday.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, any move by Israel to displace Palestinians to the south of the Gaza Strip and confine them into so-called ‘closed bubbles’ or continue to impose inhumane conditions to push Palestinians out of Gaza would amount to the war crime of unlawful transfer or deportation. If these actions are part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilians, they would also constitute crimes against humanity.
Amnesty International further emphasized that Israel has continued to commit genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreversible harm being inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza. After imposing a full siege for two months, Israel’s declared intentions to expand its military offensive, entrench its unlawful occupation, and forcibly displace Palestinians could lead to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, who have been struggling to survive amid ongoing genocide.
The organization highlighted that since October 2023, there have been repeated waves of forced displacement of Palestinians within Gaza under inhumane conditions. Nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip is currently under ‘evacuation orders’ or designated as no-go zones. Israel’s new plans indicate an escalation by seizing territory, establishing a ‘sustained physical presence,’ and indefinitely displacing the majority of the population.
Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, stated that these plans demonstrate Israel’s disregard for international law and contempt for Palestinian rights. She affirmed that any attempts to weaponize humanitarian aid or establish discriminatory aid distribution zones would violate international law.
Guevara Rosas urged the international community to reject these plans and pressure Israel to comply with its obligations under international law, ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid access throughout Gaza. She concluded by calling for an end to policies of forced displacement, illegal annexation, and the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, urging Israel to dismantle its system of apartheid against Palestinians.
