According to a new report by a United Nations commission of inquiry, Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The report claims Israel’s actions since the war with Hamas in 2023 met the legal definition of genocide under international law.
It lists four of the five genocidal acts detailed in the Genocide Convention, including killing members of a group and preventing births.
Israel committed genocide in Gaza: findings of the UN panel.
The panel notes that there are reasonable grounds to conclude Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It specifically notes events such as killing civilians, inflicting serious bodily or mental harm, and creating an environment with conditions intended to destroy the group.
The report also mentions the December 2023 attack on the fertility clinic in Gaza. During this attack, “thousands of embryos and samples were destroyed that would have ensured future births, demonstrates that Israel has attempted to prevent births” in Gaza.
The commission states that genocidal intent can be inferred from repeated statements from Israeli leaders. It refers to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and the former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as leaders who incited rhetoric that dehumanized Palestinians.
The panel states the large-scale and patterned destruction provides evidence of intentionality rather than incidental effect of war, meaning that it serves the specific purpose of intentionally destroying the Palestinian population.
Israel committed genocide in Gaza: Response from Israel
Israel categorically rejected the findings. The foreign ministry condemned the report as “false and distorted,” calling the three UN experts “Hamas proxies” and contended that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for attempting genocide, by attacking civilians in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
The Israeli military also discounted the claims. It asserted that no other army has done so much under challenging circumstances to limit civilian harm. Officials contend that all operations in Gaza consist of acts that are self-defence concluding that their purpose is to defeat Hamas and rescue hostages.
Humanitarian Devastation in Gaza
Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The humanitarian damage is staggering. The health ministry of Hamas reported over 64,000 deaths since October 2023. UN agencies reported that the numbers are reliable. Over 90% of housing was damaged or destroyed. Systems for health, water, and sanitation have collapsed. UN experts who were backed by evidence declared famine in Gaza City.
The commission also reviewed displacement, bombardments of schools and hospitals, and deprivation of essential aid. The report states that these actions cannot be considered collateral damage, but deliberate actions directed at conditions that fit the Genocide Convention.
International Reactions and Next Steps
The commission’s report has been reported as the strongest UN finding so far. The report does not speak for the UN. The International Court of Justice is reviewing a genocide lawsuit from South Africa against Israel. The process of investigating will take years.
Other human rights groups, UN experts, and scholars have repeated the charge that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. The commission warns that all states have an obligation to prevent genocide and could be liable for complicity if they do not.
Israel committed genocide in Gaza: comments by leaders
The inquiry points to specific language used by Israeli leaders. Netanyahu promised “mighty vengeance” and said he wanted to make Gaza City “rubble”. Gallant called Palestinians “human animals.”
Herzog said the entire population was responsible for Hamas’ attack. The commission stated these comments amount to intent to destroy the people, not just intent to defeat Hamas.
Conclusion
The UN commission report concludes that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, through systematic attacks, forced displacement, and creation of conditions intended to destroy Palestinian life. Israel rejects the charge, saying Gaza’s destruction was Hamas’ fault.
Yet the findings are the most definitive international statement to date which states that Israel committed genocide, meaning the debate will continue to escalate in courts and international diplomacy.
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