A United Nations commission of inquiry has stated that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report identifies reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal actions defined under international law have been perpetrated since the war with Hamas began in 2023. These actions encompass killing group members, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting lethal conditions, and preventing births among Palestinians.
The findings reference statements from Israeli officials and the operational behaviors of their military as indicators of genocidal intent. In response, Israel's foreign ministry categorically denies the report's claims, labeling them as 'distorted and false' and suggesting the commission's members act as proxies for Hamas.
The military campaign launched by Israel followed an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, leading to over 64,905 Palestinian deaths, widespread displacement, and infrastructural collapse. UN-backed food security analysts warn of famine conditions in Gaza City.
The commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021, gathers evidence from a three-member expert panel led by Navi Pillay, who previously oversaw the international tribunal on the Rwandan genocide. The report insists that the Israeli leadership has incited genocidal actions and attributes the responsibility of these acts to the State of Israel.
The allegations are further supported by the extensive suffering and adverse living conditions caused in Gaza, prompting urgent calls for international intervention in accordance with the Genocide Convention to prevent and punish such atrocities.
