Human Rights Watch has called for an "investigation into the Israeli bombing of hospitals in Gaza as war crimes," noting that "Israel has not yet provided any evidence of Hamas using hospitals for military purposes," according to "Russia Today." The organization stated, "The apparent repeated and unlawful attacks by the Israeli army on medical facilities, personnel, and transport means are further destroying the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip and should be investigated as war crimes." They emphasized that "despite the Israeli army's claims on November 5 regarding Hamas's alleged misuse of hospitals, no evidence has been presented that justifies depriving hospitals and ambulances of protection under international humanitarian law."
They pointed out that "the repeated Israeli attacks that have damaged hospitals and healthcare workers, in addition to the previous damage due to illegal blockades, have destroyed Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, killing hundreds in airstrikes on hospitals and putting many patients at serious risk as they are unable to receive proper medical care." The organization also highlighted that these "ongoing attacks are not isolated. Israeli forces have carried out dozens of strikes, causing damage to several other hospitals throughout Gaza," urging the Israeli government to "immediately cease the unlawful attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and other civilian objects, as well as the comprehensive blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, which amounts to a war crime of collective punishment."
Furthermore, it considered that "Hamas and other armed Palestinian factions must take all possible precautions to protect civilians under their control from the effects of attacks and refrain from using civilians as human shields." They also called on the independent international commission of inquiry regarding the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and Israel to investigate the apparent illegal Israeli attacks on Gaza's health infrastructure.
Human Rights Watch demanded that the "United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and other countries suspend military assistance and arms sales to Israel as long as its forces continue to commit serious and widespread violations amounting to war crimes against Palestinian civilians." They believe that "all governments should demand that Israel restore electricity and water to Gaza, allow the entry of fuel and humanitarian aid, and ensure the delivery of water, food, and medicines to civilians in Gaza."
