Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday that Israel’s forced displacement of 32,000 Palestinians from three refugee camps in the West Bank in January and February constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The organization said Israeli forces prevented residents of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps from returning home, many of which were deliberately demolished. HRW documented the operations through satellite imagery, videos, and photographs, showing the destruction of over 850 homes and buildings or severe damage to them.
HRW called on the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into senior Israeli officials over the operations, and urged governments to impose sanctions on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials involved. Recommended measures include halting arms supplies, suspending preferential trade agreements, banning settlement trade, and enforcing ICC arrest warrants.
HRW stressed that such measures are essential to hold Israel accountable, curb ongoing violations, and pressure the authorities to end repressive policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
