Israel’s actions in Gaza ‘consistent with genocide,’ UN committee report

The United Nations Special Committee investigating Israeli practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has released a scathing report accusing Israel of actions consistent with genocide in Gaza.

The report highlights widespread civilian casualties, life-threatening conditions for Palestinians, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

It documents the catastrophic impact of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza from October 2023 to July 2024, emphasizing the devastation caused to essential resources and infrastructure.

“Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life—food, water, and fuel,” the Committee stated.

“These actions, coupled with the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid, reveal an intent to use life-saving supplies for political and military objectives.”

The conflict, which escalated on 7 October 2023, has resulted in at least 43,712 Palestinian deaths and over 103,258 injuries.

Women, children, and future generations are disproportionately affected, with fundamental rights such as access to food, clean water, and a sustainable environment severely compromised.

The report describes Israel’s siege on Gaza as collective punishment, noting targeted attacks on civilians, aid workers, and essential infrastructure.

These actions violate binding orders from the International Court of Justice and UN Security Council resolutions.

“Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation, and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population,” the Committee said.

By early 2024, over 25,000 tons of explosives—equivalent to two nuclear bombs—had been dropped on Gaza, decimating vital infrastructure and releasing toxic pollutants.

The collapse of water and sanitation systems and the destruction of agriculture have created a public health crisis with long-lasting consequences.

“By destroying water, sanitation, and food systems, and contaminating the environment, Israel has created a lethal mix of crises that will severely harm generations to come,” the Committee warned.

The report also raises concerns over Israel’s use of AI-enhanced targeting systems, which have caused significant civilian casualties, particularly among women and children.

An Al Jazeera investigation revealed that an AI system, known as Lavender, allegedly drew up kill lists targeting as many as 37,000 individuals.

“This underscores Israel’s disregard for its obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants and to take adequate safeguards to prevent civilian deaths,” the Committee stated.

Beyond the battlefield, the UN report accuses Israel of suppressing media coverage and dissent.

Journalists have been targeted, and pro-Palestinian content on social media has been disproportionately removed.

The Committee called this a deliberate effort to obstruct global access to information about the Gaza crisis.

“This deliberate silencing of reporting, combined with disinformation and attacks on humanitarian workers, undermines the vital work of the UN, severs the lifeline of aid reaching Gaza, and dismantles the international legal order,” the report added.

The Committee urged UN member states to fulfil their legal obligations by holding Israel accountable and preventing further violations of international law.

It called on nations to end support for what it termed the “assault on Gaza” and the apartheid system in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

“A failure to act weakens the very core of the international legal system and sets a dangerous precedent, allowing atrocities to go unchecked,” the report cautioned.

The findings will be presented at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on 18 November 2024.

The Committee emphasized that ensuring accountability and upholding international law is a collective responsibility for all member states.