UN Inquiry Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

A United Nations commission of inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, according to a newly released report. The commission, citing international law, found Israel guilty of four out of five specified genocidal acts amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas since 2023. These acts include killing members of the Palestinian group, inflicting serious bodily and mental harm, enforcing life-threatening conditions, and preventing births within the community.

The commission provided evidence of genocidal intent by highlighting statements from Israeli leaders and actions by their forces. Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, East Jerusalem, and Israel, has called on Israel and other countries to uphold international law to halt the alleged genocide and prosecute those accountable.

During a Geneva press conference, the commission members—selected by the Human Rights Council's 47 Member States rather than employed by the UN—stated their findings were based on investigations starting from the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's foreign ministry has categorically denied the accusations, condemning the report as inaccurate and misleading, as reported by Al Jazeera.