Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Thursday asserting that Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The report highlights the forced displacement of approximately 32,000 Palestinians from three refugee camps that began in January 2025. The organization claims that Israeli forces engaged in systematic attacks against civilians, which, if proven, would violate international law.
The HRW report details the organized and forced displacement of nearly the entire Palestinian population from the camps, specifically citing the Balata, Ein al-Helweh, and Fawar camps. It notes that these residents have been denied the right to return nearly a year after military operations concluded. The camps were originally established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Intended as temporary shelters, these camps have persisted for over 75 years and now house densely populated communities.
According to HRW, Israeli forces employed heavy weaponry to evacuate the camps, issuing abrupt orders for residents to leave during active military engagements. The Israeli military maintains that its operations were aimed at targeting “terrorist activities” and were driven by security considerations. In an October statement, the military acknowledged its involvement, asserting that the operations were necessary to counter threats posed by groups like Hamas, which allegedly use the camps for military purposes.
Critically, HRW points out that the Israeli military has not provided adequate justification for the complete displacement of the populations in these camps. The military’s response did not clarify why such drastic measures were necessary or if alternatives had been explored. Instead, they emphasized that operations were prolonged due to the complexities of the situation on the ground.
The report also raises concerns about humanitarian obligations under international law. HRW asserts that the Israeli military failed to ensure proper evacuation routes or provide humanitarian assistance, such as food and medical care, to those displaced. This lack of support violates the protections afforded to civilians in occupied territories.
In light of these findings, Human Rights Watch has called for investigations by both international and domestic authorities under universal jurisdiction. The organization suggests imposing targeted sanctions against key Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. This situation adds another layer to ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders regarding actions related to the broader conflict.
As this issue develops, it raises significant questions about the humanitarian impact of military operations and the responsibilities of states under international law. The findings of this report are likely to fuel further debate on the contentious Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
