US Challenges HRW's "Genocide" Allegation Against Israel Amid Continuum of Gaza Crisis

Targeting vital infrastructure including water supply, the United States has denied Human Rights Watch's new allegation that Israel is engaged in acts of genocide in Gaza The US disagrees with HRW's assessment; state department spokesman Vedant Patel said that the legal threshold for a genocide judgment is quite high.

The US admitted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza even while it separated itself from the conclusions of HRW. Patel underlined the need of civil society groups such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and HRW even if their findings would not be able to ascertain intention behind the relevant acts.

During its 14-month operation in Gaza, MSF has also accused Israel of "ethnic cleansing" based on 41 attacks on MSF staff and medical facilities. The claims made by HRW and MSF contribute to mounting worldwide examination of the humanitarian cost of the continuing conflict.

Emphasizing the need of resolving the humanitarian situation while negotiating the complexity of international law, the US emphasized its worry over civilian casualties and the extent of destruction in Gaza.