Israel’s forced displacement of civilians in Gaza could constitute a war crime, according to a report released Thursday by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The report alleges that Israel’s military operations have left nearly the entire population of Gaza displaced, with evacuation orders issued under conditions that prevent safe passage and access to essential resources amid a humanitarian crisis.

The report criticized Israel’s evacuation orders, describing them as lacking clear instructions and issued during periods of communication blackouts, leaving residents with insufficient information to seek safety. Evacuation orders often give civilians little time to traverse active combat zones — and have directed evacuees to designated “safe zones,” which have come under repeated attack.

HRW also raised concerns about the conditions in Gaza’s so-called safe zones, such as al-Mawasi, where displaced residents lack access to water, sanitation, and humanitarian aid. Under the laws of war, Israel must ensure the health and safety of displaced populations to invoke an evacuation exception; however, HRW’s report shows severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, worsened by Israeli blockades and the banning of UNRWA, has left nearly two million people food insecure. Despite International Court of Justice orders for humanitarian access, HRW highlighted that ongoing blockades and attacks on infrastructure are worsening the crisis.

Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines “war crimes” as serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions targeting protected individuals or property. Examples include forced displacement of civilians, willful killing, torture, and causing severe harm to individuals.

The HRW report contended that Israel has not met the legal ‘military imperative’ standard required to justify the mass displacement of civilians. Under this standard, as the occupying power in Gaza, Israel is responsible for demonstrating that the evacuations, which have displaced nearly the entire population, were either a last-resort measure essential for military objectives, or necessary for the safety of civilians. According to international law, the term ‘imperative’ requires a high standard that goes beyond routine military necessity. HRW argued that this standard has not been met as civilians are primarily endangered by ongoing bombardment, which does not automatically justify forced displacement.

Amnesty International has criticized the US government for failing to uphold its legal obligations concerning Israel’s blockade of essential aid to Gaza. According to US law, recipients of foreign aid are prohibited from obstructing humanitarian assistance. However, Amnesty International pointed out that the US has not taken any significant action to hold Israel accountable for blocking critical resources from reaching civilians in Gaza. This lack of action, the organization argued, worsens Gaza’s humanitarian crisis by allowing Israel to continue its restrictive measures without facing consequences.