A United Nations-appointed commission has released a report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, escalating international scrutiny of its military operations and political leadership.
The findings, published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, claim that Israeli actions since October 2023 meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
The commission, which operates independently from the UN Secretariat, concluded that Israeli forces and authorities have carried out four of the five acts defined in the 1948 Genocide Convention.
These include mass killings, infliction of serious physical and psychological harm, deliberate creation of life-threatening conditions, and measures aimed at preventing births within the Palestinian population.
Responsibility for these actions, according to the report, lies with Israel’s top leadership. President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are named as individuals who incited and failed to prevent genocidal acts.
The commission cited a pattern of conduct and public statements that it believes demonstrate intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group.
Israel has rejected the report, describing it as biased and unfounded. The Foreign Ministry dismissed the findings and called for the commission to be disbanded, arguing that the inquiry undermines Israel’s right to defend itself and promotes a narrative aligned with Hamas.
The investigation follows nearly two years of conflict that began with a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. That assault resulted in more than 1,200 deaths, most of them civilians.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza that has since claimed over 64,000 lives, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
The United Nations considers these numbers credible. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and famine has been declared in Gaza City amid ongoing Israeli operations.
The commission’s findings echo warnings from human rights organizations and genocide scholars who have previously raised concerns about the scale of destruction and rhetoric used by Israeli officials. The report also warns that the international community’s failure to intervene could amount to complicity.
While the United Nations has not officially labeled the situation in Gaza as genocide, its humanitarian and rights officials have expressed alarm.
Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent and punish incitement to genocide. The International Criminal Court later issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In response to those developments, the United States imposed sanctions on several ICC officials, including travel bans and asset freezes, signaling its opposition to the court’s actions.
Although the commission does not have legal authority, its findings may contribute to future legal proceedings. It confirmed ongoing cooperation with the International Criminal Court and has shared extensive documentation related to the conflict.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and diplomatic tensions rise, the report adds significant weight to calls for accountability and international action.
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