UN inquiry concludes Israel committed genocide in Gaza

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel has concluded that Israel has committed and continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, in a report published today.

The Commission’s report states that Israeli authorities and security forces have carried out acts of genocide including killing members of the group, causing serious bodily and mental harm, inflicting conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births. It further found that the State of Israel is responsible not only for committing genocide but also for failing to prevent and punish it.

“The Commission also notes that, while its analysis is limited to the Palestinians specifically in Gaza during the period since 7 October 2023, it nevertheless raises the serious concern that the specific intent to destroy the Palestinians as a whole has extended to the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory,

that is, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, based on Israeli authorities’ and Israeli security forces’ actions therein, and to the period before 7 October 2023,” said the report.

The report names Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as leaders who incited genocide. It also noted that other ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, should be assessed for incitement.

The Commission concluded that both statements by Israeli leaders and the broader pattern of conduct provide direct and circumstantial evidence of ‘genocidal intent’.

“Statements made by Israeli authorities are direct evidence of genocidal intent. In addition, the Commission concludes that the pattern of conduct is circumstantial evidence of genocidal intent and that genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference that could be drawn from the totality of the evidence,” said the report. 

“Thus, the Commission concludes that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have had and continue to have the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” it added.

The inquiry recommends that Israel immediately end genocidal acts in Gaza, implement a permanent ceasefire, allow unhindered humanitarian aid and medical access, and investigate and punish perpetrators.

It also calls on UN member states to stop arms transfers to Israel, prevent complicity by corporations and individuals, and take measures including sanctions against those involved.

The Commission further urges the International Criminal Court to examine genocide as part of its investigation into the situation in Palestine and to consider Israeli officials for arrest warrants.