In a recent report amid escalating Israeli military actions in Gaza City, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, East Jerusalem, and Israel urged Israel and other nations to meet their obligations under international law to “end the genocide” and bring those responsible to justice.
“The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for committing genocide in Gaza,” stated Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission. “There is a clear intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through actions that meet the Genocide Convention criteria.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Danny Meron, dismissed the findings as “cherry-picked,” arguing that the report “promotes a narrative serving Hamas and its supporters, seeking to delegitimize and demonize Israel. The report falsely accuses Israel of genocidal intent without evidence.”
At a Geneva press conference, Commission members Ms. Pillay and Chris Sidoti, appointed by the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States, explained that investigations into the war starting with Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces “committed four of the five genocidal acts defined by the 1948 Genocide Convention.”
These acts include:
- Killing,
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm,
- Deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy Palestinians,
- Imposing measures to prevent births.
Ms. Pillay asserted that atrocity crimes’ responsibility “lies with Israeli authorities at the highest levels” amid “explicit statements” denigrating Palestinians by Israeli officials.
The Commission also scrutinized Israeli authorities and security forces’ conduct in Gaza, noting “starvation and inhumane conditions of life for Palestinians…genocidal intent was the only reasonable conclusion from their operations.”
Methodical Examination
The Commission’s statement followed a review of Israeli military operations in Gaza, “including killing and seriously harming unprecedented numbers of Palestinians” and “total siege, blocking humanitarian aid, leading to starvation.”
According to OCHA, nearly one million people remain in Gaza City, facing famine and daily bombardment, with “compromised access to survival means after the Israeli military ordered displacement.”
The panel also reviewed the “systematic destruction” of healthcare and education in Gaza and “systematic” sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians.
Justice Call
The Commission of Inquiry assessed alleged “direct targeting” of children and Israel’s disregard for the International Court of Justice’s March 2024 order to ensure the provision of basic services and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“The international community cannot remain silent on Israel’s genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza,” said Ms. Pillay.
“When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, inaction equates to complicity,” she added. “All States are legally obligated to use every reasonably available means to stop the genocide in Gaza.”
Qatari Dimension
On Tuesday, the Human Rights Council adjusted its schedule for an urgent debate on last week’s Israeli strike on Hamas’s political leadership in Qatar.
The strike hit a Doha neighborhood, reportedly killing six, including five Hamas members, prompting widespread condemnation from the Security Council and Secretary-General.
António Guterres condemned the strike as a “flagrant violation” of Qatari sovereignty and territorial integrity.
At a Security Council meeting, the UN’s political affairs chief informed ambassadors that the attack on Qatar’s sovereignty threatens regional peace and security and undermines mediation efforts to end the Gaza war and return hostages, stated Rosemary DiCarlo.
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