A two-year investigation by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, marking the first time a UN body has reached such a conclusion. The commission’s report, published this week, claims that Israel has “flagrantly disregarded” international law and orchestrated a genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza for nearly two years.
What Happened
The UN Commission’s investigation focuses on actions Israel has taken in Gaza since October 2023. The report alleges that Israel has committed four out of five genocidal acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention, including mass killings, deliberate starvation, destruction of homes and cultural sites, and gender-based violence. The commission further accuses Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, of inciting these acts.
The Commission also condemns Israel’s continued airstrikes and siege of Gaza, which have led to widespread famine, severe destruction, and the displacement of over two million Palestinians. It specifically cites the December 2023 bombing of Gaza’s Al Basma IVF Centre, which destroyed 4,000 embryos and 1,000 sperm samples, as an act intended to prevent births among Palestinians.
The UN Commission’s Findings
The 72-page report highlights the devastating effects of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Commission accuses Israel of:
- Killing members of the Palestinian group: Over 64,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities.
- Serious bodily or mental harm: The report cites torture, sexual violence, and injuries resulting from the bombings.
- Deliberate conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction: This includes blocking food, water, and electricity, and the widespread destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, healthcare system, and homes.
- Imposing measures intended to prevent births: The destruction of Gaza’s fertility clinic is highlighted as an example of this genocidal act.
Israel’s Response
In response, the Israeli foreign ministry rejected the UN report, calling it an “antisemitic… distorted and false report.” They argued that Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which sparked the current conflict, was itself an “attempted genocide.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu also rejected the notion of genocide, remarking that “if we had wanted to commit genocide, it would have taken exactly one afternoon.” The Israeli government has continued to defend its actions in Gaza, despite mounting international criticism.
Global Reactions and Legal Ramifications
The UN’s findings have sparked global debate. Some Western countries, including the UK, have expressed reluctance to classify Israel’s actions as genocide, with the UK government waiting for the findings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged the high civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, but did not agree that Israel was acting with intent to commit genocide.
The Commission’s report urges UN member states to take action, including stopping the transfer of arms to Israel and ensuring aid is allowed to flow into Gaza. It also calls for a permanent ceasefire and the immediate end of the commission of genocide.
What Happens Next
The UN Commission has called for international action to prevent further atrocities in Gaza, urging foreign states to employ all available means to stop the genocide. A case against Israel for genocide is currently before the ICJ, and many human rights organizations, both Palestinian and Israeli, are pushing for accountability. The call for action is growing louder, as the international community grapples with the devastating human cost of this ongoing conflict.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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