UN Inquiry Concludes Israel Has Committed Genocide in Gaza

United Nations investigators have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing widespread civilian deaths, destruction of infrastructure, and statements by Israeli leaders that indicate genocidal intent.

A United Nations Commission of Inquiry, led by former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, said Israel has carried out four of the five genocidal acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention. These include:

• killing members of a protected group,

• causing serious bodily or mental harm,

• deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s destruction,

• and imposing measures intended to prevent births.

The commission also found “reasonable grounds” to conclude that Israeli officials acted with genocidal intent, pointing to both the scale of destruction in Gaza and public statements by senior leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Navi Pillay: "The committee concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people."

The report also warns that other states may be complicit if they fail to act in response to the findings. “When evidence of genocide emerges,” it said, “failure to act risks complicity. Human rights organizations and some governments have called for increased accountability, restrictions on arms transfers to Israel, and urgent steps to guarantee humanitarian access.

The commission said the combination of military attacks, blockade, and obstruction of aid created conditions of life “calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza.”

Humanitarian Toll

The war has left Gaza devastated. More than 60,000 Palestinians are reported dead, with tens of thousands more wounded or displaced. Hospitals, water systems, and schools have been largely destroyed, and humanitarian agencies warn that starvation and disease are spreading.

The report adds to mounting international pressure on Israel and its allies. While some countries are pushing for sanctions and arms embargoes, others remain cautious, citing geopolitical alliances and security concerns.

Palestinian liberation and Black liberation are tied together through shared experiences of systemic oppression, the militarized violence used against them, and a long tradition of mutual solidarity. Many activists see freedom for one as inseparable from freedom for the other.