A United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza.
The newly released report outlines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that four of the five acts of genocide identified under international law have occurred since the onset of hostilities in 2023, including killings, infliction of serious harm, and deliberate actions to destroy the group. The commission referenced statements from Israeli leaders and a pattern of conduct by Israeli forces as evidence indicating genocidal intent.
In response, Israel’s foreign ministry has dismissed the report as 'distorted and false', characterizing the three experts on the commission as 'Hamas proxies' who have relied on unfounded claims. They emphasized that the real genocide was instigated by Hamas, which is accused of mass killings and violence against Israeli citizens.
The backdrop of this report includes the significant escalation of violence since the October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties. This prompted a strong Israeli military response leading to alarming death tolls in Gaza, reported at over 64,900 by the local health ministry.
According to the commission, the extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza include the complete collapse of healthcare and essential services, with over 90% of homes damaged or destroyed, leading to accusations of famine conditions.
The inquiry, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021, examines violations of humanitarian law. Led by Navi Pillay, the panel has focused on evidence that links Israeli government and military actions directly to the acts described in the genocide convention.
While the report has reignited fierce debates on social media and international discourse, it has drawn critical responses from various countries, hinting at potential implications for international relations regarding support or condemnation of Israel’s military actions.
