[MIDDLE EAST] The United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices has released a report covering the period from October 2023 to July 2024, which presents a damning assessment of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The committee points to "mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians" as evidence of actions consistent with genocidal practices1.
According to the report, Israel's siege of Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and targeted attacks on civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals and binding orders from the International Court of Justice, amount to intentionally causing death, starvation, and serious injury to the Palestinian population1.
The committee's chair, Prasad Kariyawasam, stated, "The committee is deeply alarmed by the unprecedented destruction of civilian infrastructure and the high death toll in Gaza." He further emphasized that Israel's actions "are consistent with the characteristics of genocide".
Starvation as a Method of Warfare
One of the most serious allegations made by the UN committee is that Israel is "using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population". This claim is supported by evidence of Israel's blockade of essential supplies and the destruction of vital infrastructure necessary for sustaining life in Gaza.
The report highlights how Israel's extensive bombing campaign has decimated essential services and unleashed an environmental catastrophe with lasting health impacts. By February 2024, Israeli forces had reportedly used more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives across the Gaza Strip, "equivalent to two nuclear bombs".
Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Destruction
The scale of destruction in Gaza is staggering. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as of November 2024, Israel's military campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 43,736 Palestinians and injuries to 103,370 since October 7, 2023. The UN report documents the obliteration of 114 hospitals and clinics, claiming the lives of more than 986 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and support staff.
The committee expressed grave concerns about Israel's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military operations, which has resulted in the deaths of both Hamas militants and civilians, including numerous women and children. An investigation revealed that an AI system known as Lavender was responsible for compiling kill lists that included "as many as 37,000 targets".
International Law and Accountability
The UN committee's report emphasizes the obligations of other countries to urgently act to halt the bloodshed. It states that "other States are unwilling to hold Israel accountable and continue to provide it with military and other support".
The report's findings align with a separate assessment by Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapeur on occupied Palestinian territories, who suggested in March 2024 that there are credible grounds to suspect genocide is occurring in Gaza.
Human Rights Watch Accusations
In a parallel development, Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity in its war against Hamas militants in Gaza. The organization claims that Israel's repeated displacement and relocation of civilians constitutes "the war crime of forcible transfer" and may meet the definition of ethnic cleansing in areas where Palestinians will not be able to return.
Israel's Response
Israel has vehemently rejected these accusations. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that its efforts are "directed solely at dismantling Hamas's terror capabilities and not at the people of Gaza." Israel insists that it views all civilian harm as a tragedy and continues to operate in accordance with the law of armed conflict.
The Broader Context of the Conflict
The current conflict erupted following a Hamas-led offensive in southern Israel in October 2023, which claimed approximately 1,139 lives and resulted in over 200 individuals being taken hostage. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions.
The war has also spread to Lebanon, with escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah resulting in thousands of casualties on both sides of the border.
International Court of Justice Investigation
The International Court of Justice is currently investigating a claim by South Africa that Israel's military campaign in Gaza is genocidal. This investigation, coupled with the UN committee's report and the Human Rights Watch accusations, places increasing pressure on Israel to justify its actions in Gaza under international law.
Humanitarian Crisis and Risk of Famine
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. The destruction of vital water, sanitation, and food systems, combined with the contamination of the environment, has created what the UN committee describes as "a lethal mix of crises that will inflict severe harm on generations to come".
Media Censorship and Information Control
The UN committee also accused Israel of intensifying media censorship and stifling opposition during the conflict. It noted that Israel's actions against journalists are calculated efforts to obstruct global access to information regarding the situation in Gaza. The report stated, "This intentional suppression of reporting, along with disinformation and assaults on humanitarian workers, represents a clear strategy to undermine the crucial work of the UN, disrupt the flow of aid to Gaza, and dismantle the framework of international law".
Calls for Action and Accountability
The UN committee has urged all member states of the UN to fulfill their legal responsibilities, halt Israel's breaches of international law, and ensure accountability. The report's findings add to the growing chorus of international voices calling for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to reach the besieged population of Gaza.
The UN special committee's report likening Israeli policy in Gaza to genocide marks a significant escalation in the international community's assessment of the conflict. As the humanitarian crisis deepens and civilian casualties continue to mount, the pressure on Israel to justify its actions and allow for independent investigations grows.
The characterization of Israel's warfare methods as "consistent with genocide" raises serious questions about compliance with international law and the responsibilities of other nations in addressing the ongoing crisis. As the conflict enters its second year, the international community faces a critical test in upholding the principles of human rights and humanitarian law in one of the world's most volatile regions.
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