Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, UN commission of inquiry says
A newly released report from the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, marking one of the strongest condemnations yet of Israel’s military campaign that began after the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks
According to the commission there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel has carried out four of the five acts of genocide defined under international law These acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting life-destroying conditions, and imposing measures intended to prevent births
Findings of the UN Report
The three member panel chaired by Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and president of the Rwanda genocide tribunal, stated that its findings were based on extensive documentation of attacks, testimonies, and patterns of conduct
The report points to widespread civilian casualties, the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, repeated forced displacements, and the deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid It also highlights the devastating impact on Gaza’s healthcare system, food supply, and access to clean water, all of which are seen as efforts to create conditions calculated to destroy the group
A striking example cited is the December 2023 Israeli strike on Gaza’s largest fertility clinic, which destroyed thousands of embryos, sperm samples, and eggs According to the commission this amounted to measures intended to prevent future births, one of the categories of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention
The panel further analyzed public statements by Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging that their rhetoric such as vows of mighty vengeance and characterizations of Gaza as a wicked city served as incitement and evidence of genocidal intent
Israel’s Response
Israel’s foreign ministry has categorically rejected the report, describing it as distorted and false A spokesperson accused the commission of acting as Hamas proxies and relying on claims that were thoroughly debunked
In its response Israel argued that Hamas was the side attempting genocide through the killing of civilians, rapes, kidnappings, and public declarations of eradicating Jews Israeli officials continue to insist that their operations are directed at dismantling Hamas, not targeting the Palestinian population They argue that the military follows international law and takes precautions to minimize civilian harm
The Human Cost in Gaza
The war began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel, killing about 1200 people and taking more than 250 hostages In response Israel launched a full-scale military campaign in Gaza
Since then the humanitarian toll has been staggering According to the Gaza health ministry at least 64905 Palestinians have been killed, with tens of thousands more injured The UN estimates that more than ninety percent of homes have been damaged or destroyed, while basic services such as healthcare, sanitation, and water systems have collapsed UN-backed food experts have also declared a famine in Gaza City, underscoring the scale of suffering
Legal and International Implications
The commission’s findings carry significant legal weight Under the Genocide Convention of 1948 states not only have a responsibility to refrain from committing genocide but also an obligation to prevent and punish it The report explicitly warns that failure by other countries to take action could render them complicit in genocide
Although the commission has not named specific states as co-conspirators, Navi Pillay emphasized that ongoing investigations may lead to such conclusions in the future
At the same time the International Court of Justice is hearing a separate case filed by South Africa which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza Israel has dismissed that case as wholly unfounded but the ICJ has ordered provisional measures requiring Israel to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid
A Divided Global Reaction
The UN report has intensified an already polarizing debate in the international community A growing number of human rights groups, independent UN experts, and scholars have echoed accusations of genocide Even some Israeli rights organizations have raised alarm over the scale and conduct of the military campaign
On the other hand Israel and its allies particularly the United States continue to reject the genocide framing, insisting that the war is a justified response to Hamas attacks and is focused on neutralizing a militant threat
Conclusion
The commission’s report represents one of the most severe indictments yet of Israel’s actions in Gaza By asserting that Israel has committed acts of genocide it places the issue at the heart of international law, accountability, and state responsibility The consequences of these findings could shape not only the course of the conflict but also the future of global responses to mass atrocities
As the humanitarian crisis deepens the report challenges world leaders to act, raising urgent questions about justice, accountability, and the responsibility of the international community in the face of alleged genocide
