UN commission accuses Israel of committing genocide as Gaza City offensive begins
An independent United Nations commission accused Israel on Tuesday of committing genocide in Gaza since the start of the war on 7 October 2023. The report was published the same day Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the launch of a ground offensive in Gaza City.
The commission concluded that there is an "intent to destroy the Palestinian people," citing four of the five criteria listed in the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. It points to widespread killings, the infliction of serious physical and mental harm, the deliberate imposition of living conditions aimed to bring about physical destruction, and the imposition of measures to prevent births.
The findings could increase diplomatic pressure on Israel and potentially support legal proceedings. Commission chair Navi Pillay confirmed that evidence has already been shared with prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which last year issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
Israel denies
The commission operates independently and does not formally speak on behalf of the UN. Israel, which does not recognise the ICC, rejected the accusations as "biased and false". It insists that its campaign is directed against Hamas, not civilians, and accusing the group of using civilians as human shields.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has not shifted its stance. Secretary of state Marco Rubio, who met Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, reiterated US support for Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas. "This is Israel's war, they have to choose how they want to proceed," Rubio said during a visit to Qatar on Tuesday.
Gaza City offensive begins
Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with its Gaza City offensive on Tuesday. Netanyahu confirmed the start of a "major operation," while witnesses and AFP reported heavy bombardments overnight that destroyed several residential blocks. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that more than 40 Palestinians have been killed and dozens more injured.
"The offensive will lead to more destruction, more deaths and more displacement," a European Commission spokesman said.
Since the start of the war, around 65,000 deaths have been reported in Gaza, according to local authorities, figures the UN considers credible.
PHOTO © Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP
Related news
