By Michelle Ndaga
A United Nations Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed acts amounting to genocide in Gaza, citing mass killings, destruction of essential infrastructure and the creation of living conditions designed to bring about the destruction of Palestinians as a group.
The report, released Monday, accuses top Israeli leaders of inciting genocide through public statements and authorizing military operations that have resulted in large-scale civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
The commission points to repeated attacks on hospitals, maternity wards, and Gaza’s only IVF clinic, along with the obstruction of humanitarian aid and medical supplies, as evidence of intent to destroy life and prevent births criteria listed under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.
Investigators documented forced displacement, starvation conditions, and destruction of homes and water systems, warning that these actions collectively meet the legal threshold for genocide.
Israel has rejected the findings, calling the inquiry biased and politically motivated. Officials insist that military operations are conducted in self-defense against Hamas and are not aimed at civilians.
The commission’s conclusions add to mounting international legal scrutiny. Earlier, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts, and human rights experts have called for sanctions and arms embargoes to stop further atrocities.
