HRW slams Israel for committing war crimes against Palestinians

News Desk :
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has slammed Israel for “deliberately deepening the suffering of civilians in Gaza” by refusing to allow fuel shipment into the besieged Palestinian enclave and to restore the flow of water, reports Al Jazeera.

“The fact that Palestinian fighters committed unspeakable war crimes against Israeli civilians does not justify Israeli authorities committing war crimes against Palestinian civilians,” reads a report by the group.

“By blocking objects necessary for the survival of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, nearly half of whom are children, Israel is punishing all of Gaza’s civilians for Hamas’s attacks,” the report added.

Following great international pressure and a flurry of diplomatic efforts, Israeli authorities eased the “total siege” and allowed dozens of humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza.

However, no fuel, which is essential for hospital generators, water and sewage pumping and aid delivery, has entered Gaza.

Palestinian group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel on October 10, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, sea, and air.

It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 765, including 143 children and 105 women, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said early Tuesday.

It said the number of wounded has risen to around 4,000.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.