According to a UN commission of inquiry, Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip. The conclusion of a 72-page legal analysis published on Tuesday is also supported by former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay.
According to her, the highest state representatives bear responsibility, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Yitzhak Herzog, and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
The commission claims that the Israeli attacks were carried out with the intention of destroying the Palestinian population in Gaza—through mass murders, the blockade of humanitarian aid, expulsions, and attacks on medical facilities.
It considers statements made by Israeli politicians to be evidence of genocidal intent.
However, the report comes from an independent commission whose conclusions do not represent the official position of the UN.
The organization itself has not yet used the term genocide, but is under increasing pressure to do so. Israel refused to cooperate with the commission and rejects the allegations, citing its right to self-defense after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
According to information from Gaza, the ensuing war claimed more than 64,000 lives, and parts of the territory are suffering from famine.
(reuters, red)