UN commission accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, citing ‘reasonable grounds’
A United Nations commission of inquiry has stated that there are “reasonable grounds to conclude” Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The finding, described as the “strongest and most authoritative UN finding to date” on the war, cites evidence of genocidal intent from the statements of Israeli leaders and the patterns of conduct by Israeli forces.
The report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory claims Israel has carried out four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law:
Killing members of a group through attacks on protected objects and civilians.
Causing serious bodily or mental harm through direct attacks, severe mistreatment of detainees, and forced displacement.
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Deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group by destroying essential structures, blocking aid, and targeting medical services.
Imposing measures intended to prevent births with an attack on a fertility clinic.
In an interview, the commission’s chair, Navi Pillay, explained, “We went to the facts first… we looked at statements made by the Israeli authorities indicating genocidal intent. And we looked at the pattern of conduct of Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces to show that genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference.” The report specifically mentions speeches by President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, saying they “incited the commission of genocide.”
The commission’s findings are based on a 72-page document alleging that the acts of Israeli leaders and security forces are “attributable to the State of Israel,” which therefore “bears responsibility for the failure to prevent genocide, the commission of genocide and the failure to punish genocide.” The report also warns other countries of their immediate obligation to “prevent and punish the crime of genocide” or risk complicity.
Israel’s foreign ministry has “categorically rejected” the report, calling it “distorted and false.”
The ministry accused the commission members of being “Hamas proxies” and claimed the report “relies entirely on Hamas falsehoods.” An Israeli military official dismissed the report as “baseless,” while President Herzog stated his words were misinterpreted.
The commission’s report comes in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed.
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In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 64,964 people, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN considers these figures reliable. The campaign has also resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and a declared famine in Gaza City.
This is not the first time the commission has issued a report on the conflict.
It previously concluded that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes on October 7 and that Israeli security forces have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.
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While the commission’s latest report is a significant finding, the UN says it cannot make a legal determination of genocide; that decision rests with a competent national or international court.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently hearing a case brought by South Africa that accuses Israeli forces of genocide, a case Israel has called “wholly unfounded.”
The commission’s three members submitted their resignations in July, citing age and other commitments, and the Israeli foreign ministry has called for the commission to be abolished instead of being replaced.
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