UN Inquiry Declares Israel’s War on Gaza as Genocide, Holds Government Responsible
Landmark UN Report Names Israeli Leaders, Finds Evidence of Genocidal Intent
A United Nations inquiry has concluded that Israel’s war on Gaza amounts to genocide, a historic ruling that directly holds the Israeli government and top leaders responsible for crimes against Palestinians.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, led by Navi Pillay, said evidence—including statements by Israeli officials and actions on the ground—proved genocidal intent in Gaza.
“We’ve identified the president, the prime minister and the former minister of defence based on their statements and the orders they’ve given. Under international law, the State of Israel is responsible for genocide,” Pillay told Al Jazeera.
Who Is Held Responsible for Genocide in Gaza?
The UN report explicitly named:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant
President Isaac Herzog
The commission said their direct orders and public declarations, combined with military operations, reveal a policy to destroy Palestinians in Gaza in whole or in part.
Evidence of Genocidal Intent
The report documented:
Use of wide-impact munitions in crowded civilian areas.
Intentional killings of Palestinian civilians.
A pattern of starvation tactics and aid restrictions.
“Extermination” of civilians, amounting to crimes against humanity.
The commission stressed that the number of victims is not required for genocide to be established—but added that the sheer scale of civilian deaths strengthens the evidence of genocidal intent.
Israel Rejects UN Genocide Findings
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the report as “fake” and accused the commission of serving as a “Hamas proxy.”
Daniel Meron, Israel’s UN representative, called the inquiry “scandalous” and a “libellous rant,” while urging the abolition of the commission altogether.
Gaza Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that killed 1,139 Israelis and took over 200 captives, Israeli bombings and ground operations have devastated Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health:
64,871 Palestinians have been killed
164,610 wounded since October 2023
The report also condemned the US- and Israeli-backed GHF aid system, which it says contributed to deaths by restricting essential supplies.
Global Reactions and Previous Genocide Accusations
This is not the first time Israel has faced genocide allegations:
In 2023, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide.
In April 2025, Amnesty International described Israel’s assault on Gaza as a “live-streamed genocide.”
UN Calls for Permanent Ceasefire
The inquiry urged Israel to:
Implement a complete and permanent ceasefire
Allow full UN access to Gaza
End its policy of starvation and blockades
Stop targeting civilian infrastructure
Despite the report’s release, Israeli forces intensified operations in Gaza on Tuesday. Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Gaza City was “on fire” as a new ground invasion began, killing at least 62 Palestinians in a single day.
Conclusion
The UN genocide finding against Israel is one of the most significant international rulings since the war on Gaza began. While Israel rejects the accusations, the report adds pressure on world leaders to address the humanitarian catastrophe and hold perpetrators accountable.