Watan-A group of 16 Israeli law professors and legal scholars has issued a scathing letter warning that the Israeli government’s plan to establish a detention camp in Rafah under the euphemistic name “Humanitarian City” amounts to a war crime and possibly genocide.
The letter, dated July 10, was addressed to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and it came in response to reports of a plan to relocate 600,000 Palestinians to a restricted area built atop the ruins of Rafah, a city Israel has razed during its 21-month war on Gaza.
Key Legal Warnings from the Letter
“This plan clearly violates international law,” the academics write, citing statutes on:
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Forced displacement and transfer, constituting war crimes
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Unlawful detention, which equates to crimes against humanity
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Severe deprivation of basic rights, amounting to persecution based on collective identity
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Encouraging emigration through hunger and despair, which risks genocidal intent
They further warn:“Concentrating civilians in extremely dense areas under harsh humanitarian conditions can be interpreted as intentional harm to a civilian group.”
Details of the “Humanitarian City” Plan:
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To be constructed between the Philadelphi and Morag corridors in southern Gaza
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Residents will be subject to rigorous security screening
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Once inside, Palestinians will not be allowed to return to their homes
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Israeli reports indicate plans to encourage ‘voluntary migration’ outside Gaza
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Israeli outlet Kan and newspaper Haaretz have confirmed core elements of the plan
Risk of International Prosecution:
The letter warns that Israeli politicians, officers, and soldiers involved in the planning or execution of this operation face serious legal risks, including:
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Personal criminal liability at the International Criminal Court (ICC)
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No immunity for military or political leaders under international law
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No statute of limitations for war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide
The authors urge:“Anyone who authorizes or participates in this plan may be held personally accountable for grave international crimes.”
Historical Parallels and International Outcry:
Observers note that the proposed detention zone resembles WWII-era concentration camps, where entire populations were forcibly confined, starved, and expelled.
According to international analysts and even Israeli media, this is part of a broader campaign to depopulate Gaza under the guise of humanitarian relief.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war has:
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Killed or injured over 196,000 Palestinians
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Displaced hundreds of thousands, mostly children and women
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Triggered mass famine, killing scores of children
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Ignored UN and ICJ orders to halt hostilities
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