A United Nations commission of inquiry has declared that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza amidst ongoing military operations. The report asserts that there are reasonable grounds to believe that four out of five genocidal acts outlined in international law have been executed since the onset of the conflict in 2023. These acts include the killing of members of the Palestinian group, causing severe bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions aimed at their destruction, and obstructing births.
The commission references statements from Israeli leaders and patterns of behavior from Israeli forces as supporting evidence of genocidal intent. Israel's foreign ministry strongly rejects these claims, labeling the report as biased and orienting its blame towards Hamas for the violence.
The tragic outcome of these hostilities is clear: over 64,905 fatalities have been reported in Gaza since the escalation began, alongside severe destruction of infrastructure, including health and sanitation systems, leading to widespread displacement and famine.
The three-member expert panel, which includes prominent figures like Navi Pillay, highlights the patterns of violence as indicative of a state-endorsed campaign against a particular ethnic group. This claim suggests that Israeli authorities have systematically targeted civilians and deteriorated living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, leading to an urgent call for international accountability and intervention.
