Geneva, Switzerland | September 16, 2025
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide, marking one of the strongest condemnations yet from an official UN body.
Commission chair Navi Pillay, a former UN human rights chief, said the inquiry found that Israel’s actions — including mass killings, deliberate infliction of serious harm, and conditions of life intended to destroy the Palestinian population met the elements of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. She described the campaign as the “most ruthless” attack on Palestinians since 1948.
The report cites systematic strikes on civilian infrastructure, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and inflammatory rhetoric by senior Israeli officials as evidence of genocidal intent. It urges UN member states to halt arms transfers to Israel and pursue accountability through international courts.
Israel has rejected the findings as biased and politically motivated, insisting its actions target Hamas militants rather than civilians. Legal experts note that while the commission’s report carries significant weight, only judicial bodies such as the International Criminal Court or the International Court of Justice can issue binding rulings on genocide.
