Forced and displacement of Palestinians constitute a serious breach of international law and an atrocity crime

As Israeli military operations in Gaza drive civilians closer to its southern borders, the looming possibility of mass deportation of Palestinians to Egypt grows. This alarming prospect follows recent media reports and explicit statements by Israeli officials endorsing such deportation without reasonable justification, proper accommodation in places of refuge, or guarantees of return to homes once hostilities end.
“The forcible transfer and deportation of a significant population across borders, lacking any guarantees of return, would constitute a serious breach of international law, amounting to an atrocity crime,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.
“Pushing for the irreversible deportation of hundreds of thousands directly undermines resolving this conflict amid decades of a refugee crisis. The international community must unequivocally condemn any forced displacement of Palestinians, whether within or outside the Gaza Strip,” he said.
“Every state is obligated to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide - each constituting atrocity crimes. We urge all states to recognize and fulfill their duty to avert these crimes and any actions that might incite them, using appropriate and necessary measures. In this critical moment, the international community must unite, leveraging the UN Security Council and employing diplomatic, humanitarian, and peaceful measures to safeguard all civilians from potential atrocity crimes,” added Egeland.
Israel's extensive destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, coupled with ongoing bombardment and siege, has made Gaza unlivable and could push the population into forced and protracted displacement across the border, with limited prospects for repatriation.
A staggering 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza—more than 80 percent of the population—have been internally displaced. Israel's indiscriminate bombardment across Gaza has damaged over 250,000 housing units, with an additional 50,000 units completely destroyed. Consequently, more than one million people in Gaza lack a safe and secure home to return to.
In recent days, Israel has issued additional relocation orders based on safety claims, amid intensified bombardment in southern Gaza even within the areas where people have been ordered to seek refuge. This has forced Palestinians into small, overcrowded pockets where they have set up makeshift tents while they continue to struggle with worsening starvation and a surge in respiratory and water-borne diseases. During these winter months, individuals who have spent weeks on the streets will experience increased vulnerability.
Essential services such as healthcare, education, and protection systems have collapsed. NRC’s team on the ground has struggled to deliver effective aid, facing challenges as their own families have been forcibly displaced four or five times since fleeing their homes in the north under Israeli orders.
“Rather than forcing people across borders, all involved parties, including Palestinian armed groups and Israel, must immediately cease hostilities. Israel, in particular, must allow Gaza residents to return to their homes and provide compensation for the extensive damage inflicted on civilian areas in Gaza,” added Egeland.
NRC stressed that peace is the only viable solution for civilians in Gaza and Israel. A sustained ceasefire and mutually agreed-upon armistice conditions are essential to ending this suffering and enabling aid workers to deliver crucial relief to those in need.