Thu Nov 20 16:15:07 UTC 2025: Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of War Crimes, Calls for Investigation of Netanyahu
New York – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report accusing the Israeli military of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during forced displacements of Palestinians from three refugee camps in the occupied West Bank earlier this year. The rights group is calling for an investigation into senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Major General Avi Bluth.
According to the 105-page report, approximately 32,000 Palestinians were forcibly evicted from the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps starting in January. HRW alleges these evictions were carried out “without regard to international legal protections,” and residents have not been allowed to return. Satellite imagery reportedly shows that over 850 homes and other buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged across the targeted camps.
“With global attention focused on Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that should be investigated and prosecuted,” said Nadia Hardman, a senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at HRW.
The report comes amid escalating Israeli military and settler violence in the West Bank, compounded by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Some experts warn of a de facto annexation and apartheid system in the West Bank, with rights groups highlighting the heightened risk of ethnic cleansing.
The Israeli army defends its actions, stating the raids aimed to dismantle Palestinian armed groups’ infrastructure within the camps. However, HRW argues the military failed to demonstrate a legitimate military objective that would justify the forced displacement of entire populations, violating international law obligations to safely evacuate civilians and allow their return after hostilities cease.
Displaced Palestinians recounted being given minimal time to leave, often under threats, and witnessing widespread destruction.
HRW urges third-party countries to impose sanctions against implicated individuals, implement an arms embargo against Israel, and enforce International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants.
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