A United Nations commission of inquiry has released a report asserting that reasonable grounds exist to conclude that Israel has committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report, which follows the onset of conflict with Hamas in 2023, claims to identify four out of five genocidal acts as defined under international law, including the killing of members of a group and inflicting serious bodily and mental harm.
The commission cited statements from Israeli officials and observed patterns of military conduct as indicators of genocidal intent. In response, Israel’s foreign ministry strongly rejected the findings, characterizing them as distorted and erroneous. They claimed that the commission’s experts function as “Hamas proxies,” alleging reliance on unfounded claims that have already been refuted. The ministry stated that it is Hamas, not Israel, that committed acts of violence, claiming extensive atrocities against Israeli civilians.
Since the military operations began following the October 7 attack by Hamas, reports indicate significant casualties in Gaza, with at least 64,905 fatalities recorded by the Hamas-run health ministry. The humanitarian situation has reportedly deteriorated, with most homes damaged or destroyed, and critical infrastructure, including healthcare and sanitation systems, has collapsed. An official UN report has declared famine conditions in Gaza City.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory was set up by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 to investigate violations of international law. Although the commission’s latest report has been described as the most significant UN finding to date regarding these allegations, it does not officially represent the UN, which has not yet utilized the term genocide.
The commission’s report asserts that Israeli leaders have incited actions leading to genocide, with its findings based on an analysis of public statements and military conduct. It warns that countries worldwide have a responsibility to prevent genocide and could be seen as complicit if they fail to act. The commission’s members have previously announced their resignations, with the Israeli government advocating for the dissolution of the commission entirely.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8641wv0n4go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss