Israel Accused of Genocide in Gaza with Flooding Tactics; Netanyahu Government Responds

Israel (The Uttam Hindu): Israel has strongly denied allegations of committing genocide in Gaza by withholding clean water, rejecting claims made by Human Rights Watch. The reports accused Israel of depriving Palestinians of access to water, a charge which Israel refutes, stating that it has been providing clean water under the supervision of UNICEF. According to Israel, water purification plants are operational in Gaza, including a plant in Khan Younis that has the capacity to purify 20,000 cubic meters of water daily when running at full capacity.

Israel has also shared evidence on social media, detailing the active water supply lines from Israel to Gaza, claiming that northern Gaza receives 107 liters per person, central Gaza receives 34 liters, and southern Gaza receives 20 liters per person. This, Israel argues, exceeds the international standard of 15 liters per person per day in conflict zones. Furthermore, Israel's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has worked closely with UNICEF to repair and maintain critical water infrastructure, even during ongoing conflict, to ensure the residents of Gaza have access to safe water.

The ongoing dispute has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with both sides offering starkly different narratives on the provision of essential services.