UN Inquiry Finds Israel Committed Genocide In Gaza, Accuses Top Leaders Of Incitement
For the first time, an independent United Nations inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The UN panel also said that some of Israel’s top leaders have incited genocide, calling it the “most authoritative UN finding to date” on the war.
The findings were published on Tuesday in a 72-page report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, a body created by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021.
According to the commission, Israel has committed four acts of genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its deadly attacks and Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign. These include killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing “serious bodily and mental harm” to Palestinians, deliberately creating conditions of life aimed at destroying the group, in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group. The report noted that these actions amount to genocide under international law.
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The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza says nearly 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. While it does not separate civilians from fighters, it has stated that the majority of those killed are women and children.
Investigators documented numerous cases of civilians being directly targeted, including children shot while holding makeshift white flags. The killing of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family in January 2024 was cited as evidence that Israeli forces knowingly attacked civilians, even along evacuation routes.
The inquiry also pointed to Israel’s use of wide-impact munitions in densely populated areas, which caused mass casualties, and argued that civilians were targeted “collectively” because of their identity as Palestinians.
The report said Israel has “weaponised” the withholding of necessities by cutting off food, water, electricity, fuel and humanitarian aid. The long-standing blockade on Gaza intensified into a “total siege” after October 7, worsening living conditions.
Earlier this year, an 11-week blockade cut off aid completely, leading to famine in parts of Gaza. Children were found suffering from starvation, with doctors warning that many were unable to reach developmental milestones. The commission described the refusal to allow infant formula into Gaza as “powerful evidence of an intention to destroy the population.”
The inquiry emphasised the extreme impact on children, saying Gaza’s young population has been left mentally and physically scarred. Many children are at risk of long-term cognitive and speech problems due to malnutrition.
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The commission also documented sexual and gender-based violence by Israeli forces, including rape and “sexualized torture.” Testimonies included accounts of detainees being beaten in the genitals until they lost consciousness. Some soldiers allegedly posted dehumanising acts on social media.
The report directly accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of inciting genocide. It said Israeli officials made statements as early as October 7, 2023, that showed intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group.
Israel strongly rejected the UN report, calling it “false and distorted.” The foreign ministry said the inquiry relied on “Hamas falsehoods” and accused the commission members of being biased. Israel insists its military campaign is an act of self-defence carried out in line with international law.
Despite Israel’s denial, accusations of genocide have grown worldwide. US senators, leading genocide scholars, and even Israeli human rights groups have used the term to describe the war in Gaza. South Africa has also brought a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The report was released as Israel began a fresh ground incursion into Gaza City, following weeks of heavy bombardment. Netanyahu acknowledged on Monday that his country faces “a kind of isolation” that may last for years.
(With inputs from CNN)
