Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to a report released Tuesday by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
The commission, which has investigated events since October 7, 2023, concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces committed four of the five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention: killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions of life designed to bring about destruction, and imposing measures intended to prevent births.
“The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza,” said Navi Pillay, chair of the commission. “It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”
Pillay said responsibility lies with “Israeli authorities at the highest echelons who have orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years now with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian group in Gaza.”
The commission’s report cited explicit statements from Israeli civilian and military officials and patterns of conduct by security forces as evidence of genocidal intent.
Leadership and AccountabilityThe report stated that Israel has failed to prevent or punish genocide by neglecting to investigate or prosecute alleged perpetrators. It accused Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of incitement to genocide, and said other political and military leaders’ statements should also be examined.
Pillay noted that Israel had “flagrantly disregarded” orders from the International Court of Justice, as well as warnings from states, UN bodies, and human rights organizations, and that authorities showed “no intention to change their course of actions.”
Findings on Military CampaignThe commission reviewed Israeli operations from October 7, 2023, to July 31, 2025. It cited mass killings, starvation caused by siege, systematic destruction of health and education infrastructure, targeting of children, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on cultural and religious sites.
The report urged Israel to lift its blockade, end the policy of starvation, and allow full humanitarian access, including to UNRWA and UN human rights staff. It also called for the immediate closure of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, noting that hundreds had been killed attempting to reach aid in Israeli-controlled zones.
International ResponseThe commission appealed to UN member states to halt arms transfers to Israel, ensure companies under their jurisdiction do not contribute to genocide, and pursue accountability through investigations and legal action.
“The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Pillay said. “Every day of inaction costs lives and erodes the credibility of the international community. All states are under a legal obligation to use all means reasonably available to them to stop the genocide in Gaza.”
According to the report, nearly 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and famine has been declared in Gaza amid the ongoing military offensive.