UN Commission Alleges Israel Committed Acts of Genocide in Gaza; Israel Rejects Findings

The United Nations Commission of inquiry has alleged that Israel has committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report claims there are “reasonable grounds to conclude” that four of the five acts defined as genocide under international law have been carried out since the conflict began in 2023. These acts are cited as killing members of a group, causing serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births. The commission’s findings are based on what it describes as statements made by Israeli leaders and the patterns of conduct by Israeli forces, which it presents as evidence of genocidal intent.
 
 
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the report as “distorted and false,” accusing the UN panel of echoing Hamas propaganda. A spokesperson claimed the panel ignored evidence and asserted that Hamas, not Israel, committed acts of genocide during the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
 
 
In response to the Hamas-led attack, the Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 64,905 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. Additionally, UN-backed food security experts have declared a famine in Gaza City.
 
 
The UN Human Rights Council established the commission to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. The three-member panel is chaired by Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief and president of the international tribunal on Rwanda’s genocide.