A United Nations special committee has declared that Israel’s military operations in Gaza bear the hallmarks of genocide, citing systematic deprivation of essential supplies and indiscriminate attacks that have devastated civilian life.
In its latest report, the UN body said Israel has used starvation as a method of warfare, deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid and destroying vital infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and agricultural systems. The findings accuse Israeli leaders of publicly endorsing policies that deprive Palestinians of food, water, fuel, and medicine—acts that, under international law, may constitute genocidal intent.
According to the committee, more than 25,000 tonnes of explosives—comparable to the force of two nuclear bombs—were dropped on Gaza in the first year of the conflict, resulting in mass casualties and what experts describe as an environmental catastrophe. Hospitals and clinics have been bombed, with many health workers killed, leaving survivors without adequate medical care.
The report also highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis, warning of famine, disease outbreaks, and near-total collapse of basic services. It concludes that conditions of life in Gaza have been “calculated to bring about the destruction” of the Palestinian population in whole or in part.
While the UN committee’s findings are not legally binding, they add weight to ongoing international cases, including proceedings before the International Court of Justice. The report urges UN member states to uphold their obligations under international law, ensure accountability, and take immediate steps to protect civilians.
Israel has consistently rejected genocide allegations, insisting its military actions target Hamas fighters and infrastructure, not civilians. However, human rights groups and humanitarian agencies say the scale of destruction and the deliberate blocking of aid point to a campaign far beyond self-defense.
The conflict, now in its second year, began in October 2023 after Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel. Since then, Gaza has faced unprecedented devastation, displacing hundreds of thousands and leaving millions in dire need of humanitarian relief.
