Israel’s deliberate destruction of Gaza’s water supply amounts to genocide: Report

Amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report said that Israel has deliberately destroyed the water and sanitation supply of Gaza, which amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity, the impact of which during a 14-month conflict led to catastrophic consequences for the population.

The 184-page document, titled Extermination and Acts of Genocide, highlights evidence suggesting that Israeli authorities have intentionally destroyed key water and sanitation systems in Gaza.

The findings include attacks on pipelines, reservoirs, and desalination plants, which have drastically reduced the availability of clean water. HRW argues that the restricted access to potable water has forced residents to rely on contaminated sources, resulting in widespread outbreaks of lethal diseases, The Guardian reported.

According to the report, nearly 670,000 cases of acute watery diarrhoea and more than 132,000 cases of jaundice, indicative of hepatitis, have been recorded since the conflict began. Diseases that were previously manageable have become fatal due to the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, with the destruction of hospitals and clinics exacerbating the crisis. HRW notes a sharp increase in child mortality from diseases like hepatitis A, which is now fatal in up to 10% of cases compared to 1% under normal conditions.

Before the war, Gaza’s water needs were met through a combination of local wells, Israeli-controlled pipelines, and desalination plants. However, the report states that all these sources were severely disrupted at the onset of hostilities.

While the Israeli authorities partially reopened some pipelines, damage to alternative supply routes, including a UAE-built pipeline from Egypt, further limited access to clean water. Gaza's desalination plants were also forced to halt operations due to fuel shortages and infrastructure damage.

HRW’s analysis of satellite imagery revealed extensive destruction of water-related infrastructure, including 11 completely destroyed reservoirs and solar panels powering four of Gaza's six wastewater treatment plants. The organisation claims this damage is consistent with deliberate targeting by Israeli forces, citing video evidence of reservoirs being destroyed by explosives.

The report also focuses on statements from Israeli officials as evidence of intent. It references declarations by ministers in Israel's ruling coalition, including orders for a complete siege of Gaza, which included cutting off water, electricity, and fuel supplies. These directives, according to HRW, demonstrate a calculated effort to create conditions designed to cause widespread harm and destruction within the Gaza population.

The allegations follow an earlier report from Amnesty International, which similarly accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. HRW’s findings, however, focus specifically on water supply as a weapon of war, suggesting that the deliberate deprivation of this essential resource constitutes an act of genocide under international law.

While Israel has rejected these accusations, calling them baseless, HRW argues that the evidence points to a systematic campaign aimed at inflicting conditions of life intended to bring about the destruction of Gaza’s population. The report has added further weight to calls for international accountability and urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life.