A United Nations independent committee has released a striking report. It claims there is good reason to believe Israel has committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israel, in turn, has strongly rejected the findings, calling the report twisted and false.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, formed by the UN Human Rights Council, published these grave accusations. The report suggests solid evidence supports the “genocide” claim. It points to four out of five actions considered genocide under international law. These include killing people, causing serious harm, creating conditions meant to destroy a group, and preventing births. The report states that the intent to commit genocide can be seen in statements by Israeli leaders and how Israeli forces operate.
The findings come from a team of three experts. They were led by Navi Pillay, a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report details four specific actions by Israel that fit the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Actions Alleged as Genocide
- Killing members of the group: This involves attacking protected places and civilians. It also means intentionally creating situations that lead to deaths.
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm: Direct attacks on civilians fall into this category. It also covers harsh treatment of those held, forcing people from their homes, and damaging the environment.
- Creating living conditions meant to destroy the group: This includes destroying buildings and land. It also involves ruining or blocking access to medical help, aid, water, electricity, and fuel. Sexual violence and harmful conditions for children are also mentioned.
- Putting in place measures to stop births: An example given is an attack on Gaza’s biggest fertility clinic in December 2023. This attack reportedly destroyed about 4,000 embryos. It also ruined 1,000 unfertilized sperm and egg samples.
The report also points to statements made by Israeli leaders. These include President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The report says these words “incite genocide.” It concludes that “genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion” when looking at the behavior of Israeli officials and military.
The commission adds that the actions of Israel’s political and military leaders are the “responsibility of the State of Israel.” This means the state is “responsible for failing to prevent genocide.” It also suggests responsibility for “committing genocide and failing to punish genocide.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry quickly dismissed the report. A spokesperson accused the three experts of being “Hamas representatives.” They claimed the experts relied on “Hamas’s false information,” which was then spread.
The spokesperson further argued that Hamas is actually the group trying to commit genocide. They cited the October 7, 2023 attacks. During those attacks, 1,200 people died. Women were reportedly raped, and entire families burned. Hamas, they said, openly declared its goal to kill all Jews.
Israel’s military started its operations in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Around 1,200 people died in those attacks. Another 251 were taken hostage.
Since then, Israeli attacks in Gaza have caused at least 64,905 deaths. This data comes from the Hamas-run health ministry. Most of the population has been forced to move many times. Over 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed. Health, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems have failed completely. Experts on food security, supported by the UN, have declared a famine in Gaza City.
This UN report is not alone in its accusations. Various international and Israeli human rights groups have also accused Israel of genocide. Independent UN experts and scholars share similar concerns. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a case brought by South Africa. That case also accuses Israel of committing genocide.