Translation of the Thread caption :

"ANOTHER international human rights NGO to use the word “genocide” to describe the actions of the Israeli army in #Gaza. This time it is the NGO @MSF whose secretary general @Chris_lockyear affirms that “what [their] medical teams have observed on the ground throughout this conflict corresponds to the descriptions of a growing number of experts legal authorities and organizations that conclude that a genocide is underway in Gaza.

In a 34-page report released Thursday, December 19, titled “Gaza: Life in a Death Trap,” MSF accuses #Israel of leading for 14 months a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza aimed at “the very annihilation of Gazan society”, pointing out in particular:

• “repeated Israeli military attacks against Palestinian civilians”
• “the dismantling of the health system and other essential infrastructure”
• “the siege and systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid” Report link

"UNDENIABLE." While MSF France emphasizes that it does not have "the legal authority to establish intent" behind the actions of the Israeli army in Gaza, the NGO highlights that the "signs of ethnic cleansing and ongoing destruction, including massacres, severe physical and psychological injuries, forced displacements, and the unlivable conditions for besieged and bombarded Palestinians, are undeniable."

As a reminder, an "act of genocide," as defined by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, refers to specific actions committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It is a component of the "crime of genocide," which also encompasses the specific intent to destroy the given group, along with individual or state responsibility.

"ETHNIC CLEANSING." MSF notably denounces the "extremely violent siege" imposed by the Israeli army in northern Gaza, particularly against the Jabalia camp since October 6, 2024, which, according to Israel, aims to dismantle the last Hamas battalions. "The recent military offensive in the north illustrates the relentless war that Israeli forces are waging against Gaza, and we see clear signs of ethnic cleansing as Palestinians are forcibly displaced, trapped, and bombarded," stated Chris Lockyear, the organization's Secretary General.

TARGETED. MSF has itself reported being targeted by Israeli bombings on numerous occasions. In its report, the NGO documents 41 attacks suffered by its personnel, "including airstrikes, shelling, violent incursions into health facilities, direct fire on its shelters and convoys, as well as arbitrary detentions by Israeli forces," which forced it to evacuate hospitals where it operated on an emergency basis 17 times. MSF recalls that by mid-October 2024, only 17 of Gaza's 36 hospitals were partially operational, while the other 19 were out of service. Additionally, the NGO confirms the deaths of 8 of its employees and "many members of their families."

HUMANITARIAN BLOCKADE : MSF also accuses the Israeli army of preventing the entry of essential goods into Gaza, such as food, water, and medical supplies, for 14 months. "The entry of humanitarian aid has been alternately denied, delayed, or manipulated by the Israeli army, which has allowed the passage of aid in minimal quantities, showing total disregard for the actual needs and suffering of the population," the international NGO highlights. According to MSF, only 37 food trucks were allowed daily in October 2024, compared to 500 before the conflict.

DISEASES. In one year, MSF teams have conducted more than 27,500 consultations and 7,500 surgical interventions. They report a worsening of war injuries and chronic diseases due to a lack of access to healthcare services and essential medications. According to the NGO, the "forced displacement of 90% of Gaza's population has led people to live in unsanitary conditions where diseases can spread rapidly." MSF emphasizes that children living in Gaza are not vaccinated, "making them vulnerable to diseases such as measles and polio." The organization has also observed an "increase in malnutrition cases." Finally, the NGO accuses Israel of obstructing medical evacuations, stating that the Israeli government has approved "only 1.6% of evacuation requests between May and September 2024."

REACTION. The spokesperson for Israeli diplomacy described the MSF report as "completely false and misleading." "Israel does not target medical teams or individuals who are not involved in terrorist activities," and "actively works to maintain functional medical infrastructure," he stated to @afpfr.