Toronto, ON, December 19, 2024 – Responding to a report from Human Rights Watch that Israel’s obstruction of water supply in Gaza amounts to an act of genocide, Dr. Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director at Plan International has released the following statement:

“Human Rights Watch reports that Israeli authorities have deliberately obstructed Palestinians’ access to water and, as a result, civilians in the Gaza Strip, including children, do not have enough water to survive. They have found that the intentional deprivation of access to water in Gaza amounts to an act of genocide and the crime against humanity of extermination.

“Water is a basic human right – no one can live without it. But in Gaza, most water is unfit for human consumption. People have been drinking seawater out of sheer desperation and there have been 670,000 cases of acute watery diarrhoea reported since the escalation of conflict last year. The situation is grave and there are inadequate health facilities to support those who require urgent medical attention, with only 17 out of 36 hospitals partially functioning.

“The UN has reported that 64% of people inside Gaza are receiving less than the recommended six litres per person per day. One million people are at risk of sanitation-related threats, and we have already witnessed the return of the polio virus earlier this year.

“This Human Rights Watch report is yet more credible evidence that horrific atrocities are taking place inside Gaza. It comes after Amnesty International and the UN Special Committee have both concluded that the policies and practices of Israel against Palestinians in Gaza are consistent with the characteristics of genocide.

“For 14 months, children in Gaza have suffered the unimaginable, with over 45,000 people, including 14,500 children now killed. Thousands more are believed to be buried under rubble. A looming famine and restricted water supply are a deadly combination. People in Gaza desperately need a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access for aid workers and basic supplies, like water, food and medicine.

“We implore all States to use their influence – including stopping arms transfers and pushing for an immediate and permanent ceasefire – to bring this horror to an end.”

Plan International Canada condemns all violence in the strongest terms and calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire by all parties involved. As a humanitarian organization which advocates for children’s rights, we continue to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the immediate release of all hostages, the protection of children and civilians and the restoration of safe humanitarian access.

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and is now active in more than 80 countries. We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

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