U.N. Report Accuses Israel Of Committing Genocide In Gaza

LOADING ERROR LOADING A detailed human rights report by a United Nations expert argues there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza — a major accusation as the war approaches six months of heavy fighting. Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza qualifies as genocide on at least three grounds, according to the report by Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Human Rights Council special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories. “The dehumanization of Palestinians as a group is the hallmark of their history — of ethnic cleansing, dispossession and apartheid.” “Following nearly 6 months of unrelenting Israeli assault on occupied #Gaza, it is my solemn duty to report on the worst of what humanity is capable of & to present my findings: 'the Anatomy of a Genocide'.” — Special Rapporteur @FranceskAlbs at @UN Human Rights Council.#HRC55 pic.twitter.com/N4K1Fh1lTn — United Nations Human Rights Council | #HRC55 March 26, 2024 The latest hostilities began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage. It is yet another stain on her biased mandate, and only brings the Human Rights Council further into disrepute.” “By analysing the patterns of violence and Israel's policies in its onslaught in Gaza, this report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating Israel's commission of genocide is met.” - Francesca Albanese, U.N. Human Rights Council special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories The 1948 Genocide Convention — enacted after the Nazi’s genocide of Jews — codifies the term as an international crime committed “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” In order for genocide to legally have been committed, an accused country or group has to meet two main criteria: It must have committed one or more of the specific acts mentioned in the convention, and there must be evidence of its intention to carry out said acts in order to destroy the targeted group. We must prevent it and we must punish it.” - Francesca Albanese, U.N. Human Rights Council special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Independent experts and academics, as well as nations — including South Africa, which petitioned before the International Court of Justice — have warned that Israel’s actions since Oct. 7 may amount to genocide.