UN Inquiry: Israel Accused of Genocide as Gaza City Bombarded

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry has released a landmark report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, citing evidence including large-scale killings, forced displacement, blocked humanitarian aid, and destruction of vital infrastructure.


The findings implicate senior Israeli leaders, among them Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, in statements and orders reflecting what the commission describes as genocidal intent.


The report, headed by former UN rights chief Navi Pillay, identifies four acts under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention that have allegedly occurred: killing members of a group; causing serious bodily or mental harm; deliberately inflicting conditions of life that threaten the group; and measures intended to prevent births. It also points to statements by Israeli officials, satellite imagery, and testimony from witnesses to support its conclusion.


Israel has strongly rejected the report, calling it false, politically motivated and accusing the authors of relying on Hamas propaganda. The Israeli government maintains that its actions are defensive in response to the October 2023 attacks by Hamas.


Meanwhile, on the ground, Israel has launched a major ground offensive in Gaza City as part of what it describes as efforts to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure. The operation has been marked by intensified air and naval bombardment, widespread damage, and evacuation orders for civilians.


The UN’s rights chief Volker Türk has called for an immediate halt to the “carnage”, warning that the humanitarian situation is worsening with grave risk to civilians, particularly women, children and those with disabilities.


The developments have renewed international debate about Israel’s conduct under international law, with pressure mounting for accountability, investigations, and possible legal action.

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