NextFin news, A United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory announced on Tuesday that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council, released a report concluding that Israeli authorities and forces have carried out four of the five genocidal acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention since the conflict with Hamas erupted in October 2023.
The commission's chair, Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and international tribunal judge, stated that the evidence shows a clear intent by Israeli leaders to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. The report specifically accuses Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting genocide. The commission found that Israel has committed acts including killing members of the group, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, and imposing measures intended to prevent births, such as the destruction of Gaza's largest fertility clinic.
The commission's findings are based on documented statements by Israeli officials and the pattern of conduct by Israeli forces, including widespread attacks on civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and a blockade causing severe humanitarian crises. The report highlights that nearly 65,000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, with the majority being women, children, and elderly, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Israel's Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the report, calling it "distorted and false," accusing the commission members of bias and reliance on Hamas propaganda. Israeli officials maintain their military operations target Hamas and comply with international law.
The commission urged the international community to take immediate action to stop the genocide, including halting arms supplies to Israel and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. It warned that failure to act could amount to complicity in genocide under international law.
This is the first time a UN body has publicly declared that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The report follows previous accusations by independent experts and human rights organizations. The commission also cooperates with the International Criminal Court, which has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes.
The UN Secretary-General has not used the term genocide but has condemned the violence and called for urgent international action. The International Court of Justice is currently hearing a case accusing Israel of genocide, which Israel denies.
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