UN concludes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry concluded on September 16th that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, accusing top officials—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—of orchestrating a campaign of genocide, as reported by the New Arab via Reuters.

The report cites large-scale killings, aid obstructions, forced displacement, and the destruction of a fertility clinic among the evidence. “Genocide is occurring in Gaza,” said Navi Pillay, head of the commission and ex- International Criminal Court (ICC) judge.

“The responsibility for these atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest echelons who have orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years now with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian group in Gaza.”

Israel strongly rejected the findings. Daniel Meron, Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, called them “scandalous” and “fake,” alleging the report was written by “Hamas proxies.” The commission’s analysis, finds that four of the five genocidal acts under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention have been fulfilled: killing; serious bodily or mental harm; imposing destructive living conditions; and preventing births. Israel defends its actions as self-defense following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks.

The move comes amid extensive accusations of genocide taking place during Israel’s war on Gaza. Amnesty International has previously accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Meanwhile, the International Association of Genocide Scholars also backed a resolution affirming that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza meets the criteria for genocide.

According to the Health Ministry of Gaza, recorded deaths exceed 64,700, while at least 163,859 have been injured since Israel began its war on Gaza on October 7th 2023. However, ex-Israeli commander, Herzi Halevi, has admitted that the number of Palestinian casualties during the war exceeds 200,000 people.

Halevi led Israel’s military campaign in Gaza for its initial 17 months before resigning as chief of staff in March this year following the security failures concerning the October 7th, 2023 attacks.

The New Arab via Reuters, BBC, The Guardian, Maghrebi.org