Following the Israeli cabinet's approval of a gradual expansion of the ongoing war on Gaza, Amnesty International called on the Israeli government to immediately abandon its plans, including "annexing" territory and forcibly displacing Palestinians in Gaza, actions that would constitute severe violations of international law.

The organization stated that "Israel" has been committing genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreversible harm being inflicted on Gaza’s Palestinian population. Any efforts to forcibly relocate Palestinians to the southern Gaza Strip or confine them in “closed bubbles", alongside the continued imposition of inhumane living conditions to force their exit, would amount to war crimes.

If these actions are part of a widespread or systematic attack on civilians, they would also qualify as crimes against humanity, Amnesty declared.

'Final blow to Palestinians in Gaza'

Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International, expressed that "Israel's" stated plans to intensify its military offensive, deepen its unlawful occupation of the Gaza Strip, and forcibly displace Palestinians would be a "final blow leading to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, who for months on end have been struggling to survive amid Israel’s ongoing genocide."

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The organization noted that since October 2023, there have been repeated waves of forced displacement of Palestinians within Gaza, conducted under brutal and inhumane conditions. These displacements have been a central part of "Israel's" strategy to create living conditions that aim at the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. Currently, nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip is under "evacuation orders" or designated as no-go zones.

International law disregarded

"Israel’s" new plans suggest a terrifying escalation, with authorities intending to seize more territory, establish a “sustained physical presence,” and indefinitely displace the majority of the population, Amnesty emphasized, detailing that such plans completely disregard international law and undermine the independent and impartial delivery of vital assistance to the population.

"Instead of pursuing policies that lead to further forced displacement and potentially illegal annexation, Israel must immediately stop its genocide in Gaza, end its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, in line with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of July 2024, and dismantle its system of apartheid against Palestinians," Guevara Rosas noted. 

Gaza siege further evidence of 'Israel’s' genocidal intent: Amnesty

New, harrowing testimonies collected by Amnesty International in April reveal the severe humanitarian consequences of "Israel’s" total blockade, where starvation and the denial of vital resources are being weaponized in blatant violation of international law.

“The extent of human suffering in Gaza for the past 19 months has been unimaginable, and it is a direct consequence of Israel’s ongoing genocide. Apart from a brief respite during the temporary truce, Israel has relentlessly and mercilessly turned Gaza into an inferno of death and destruction,” said Rosas.

"Apart from a brief respite during the temporary truce, Israel has relentlessly and mercilessly turned Gaza into an inferno of death and destruction."

Rosas urged the global community to act, calling on "Israel’s" allies to pressure it to lift the siege, allow unhindered humanitarian aid, and implement a sustained ceasefire to prevent further atrocities.