Washington, DC., 16 September 2025—
A report by the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) finds that Israel’s actions amount to genocide in Gaza. The comprehensive report builds on two years of facts, seeking to address the violence and human rights violations that have ravaged the Palestinian territory, particularly since the start of the Israeli military operation in October 2023. The report is not a suggestion, nor is it manufactured evidence, but the result of a painstaking, direct investigation based on eyewitness accounts, individuals who are in fact in Gaza, and digital evidence. The Commission’s findings are not based on second- or third-person accounts or on reports from other organizations. The findings have drawn significant international attention, sparking debates on the definition of genocide, the legality of Israel’s military operations, and the broader implications for international law and the Middle East peace process.
The Commission of Inquiry’s Findings
The UN Commission of Inquiry, which was formed in May 2021 to investigate human rights violations in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank, concluded that Israel’s military actions in Gaza may have crossed the line into genocidal conduct. The commission’s findings center around several key areas:
Mass Casualties and Targeted Attacks
The report highlights that Israeli airstrikes have led to massive civilian casualties, with the deaths of thousands of Palestinian men, women, and children. Many of these casualties were reportedly the result of attacks on densely populated residential areas, hospitals, schools, and places of worship. The commission argues that such strikes, often described as “precision” or “targeted,” disproportionately affected civilian populations and could amount to a violation of the principle of distinction under international law.
At least 65,000 people are dead, of whom at least 30,000 are children. Nearly every child impacted by this atrocity has lost one or more limbs. Nearly every child has lost one or both parents. The psychological trauma will last the rest of that child’s life. The wholesale destruction of Gaza has been to eradicate any evidence of the Palestinian people.
Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry, asserted that this is “the most ruthless and prolonged attack against the Palestinian people since 1948. The goal of Israelis is abundantly clear – it’s genocide.”
Collective Punishment and Displacement
The commission’s investigators further argue that Israel’s actions in Gaza represent a form of collective punishment, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law. This includes the destruction of homes, schools, and critical infrastructure, leaving large numbers of Palestinians displaced. Such acts, the report suggests, are not merely incidental to military operations but constitute deliberate strategies designed to break the spirit of the population.
Intent to Destroy a Group
One of the key elements in determining whether an act constitutes genocide is whether there is intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. The Commission of Inquiry’s findings assert that the Israeli government’s policies and actions, particularly its ongoing blockage of Gaza and its military campaigns, may be viewed as a part of a broader intent to eliminate or severely undermine the existence of the Palestinian people in Gaza. This, the report suggests, could potentially fulfill the criteria of genocide under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).
Further, statements made by Israeli authorities are direct evidence of genocidal intent. The Commission concluded that Israeli authorities and Israeli Security Forces have the genocidal intent to destroy in whole or in part, and since the political leaders and military are agents of Israel, then the State of Israel bears responsibility for failing to prevent and punish those responsible for genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Denial of Access to Humanitarian Aid
The commission also raised concerns over Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has severely restricted the movement of goods, people, and humanitarian aid. This has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis, where access to essential medical supplies, food, and clean water has been severely limited. The Commission concluded that such measures should be seen as part of a deliberate strategy to starve the population into submission, thereby reinforcing claims of genocidal intent.
The findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry are significant because they represent the first time in years that a UN body has explicitly raised the possibility of genocide in Gaza. While the findings are not legally binding, they place significant pressure on international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), to take action. The report is also expected to fuel ongoing debates over the interpretation of genocide, particularly in conflict zones where both sides often claim victimhood.
Israel’s Response and Reactions
Israel has vehemently denied the allegations made by the Commission of Inquiry, dismissing the report as biased and politically motivated. Israeli officials argue that their military operations are conducted in self-defense against Hamas, which they label as a terrorist organization. The Israeli government has repeatedly emphasized the difficulty of distinguishing between Hamas militants and civilians in a densely populated area like Gaza.
Moreover, Israel has stressed the importance of its security measures, including the blockade, as necessary to prevent Hamas from obtaining weapons and launching attacks against Israeli civilians. The government has argued that such measures are legitimate under international law, despite their severe impact on Gaza’s civilian population.
International reactions to the report have been mixed. Several human rights organizations, including The Genocide Report, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, have praised the Commission’s findings, calling for accountability and action against Israel. Conversely, many of Israel’s allies, particularly the United States, have rejected the report’s conclusions, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself.
Broader Implications for International Peace and Justice
The findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry have profound implications for both the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the future of international justice. It reflects the growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
However, the accusation of genocide is not just a legal matter; it is also a deeply political one. The international community remains divided on the issue, and geopolitical interests will likely influence the responses to these findings. If Israel’s actions are determined to constitute genocide, this could lead to widespread calls for sanctions, legal action, or other forms of international intervention.
If the international community takes steps toward holding Israel accountable, it could undermine the fragile negotiations that have taken place in the past, leaving the region in a more precarious position. The future of the peace process, the fate of the Palestinian people, and the legitimacy of Israel’s actions on the world stage all hang in the balance. For many, the quest for justice, accountability, and peace in Gaza remains as elusive as ever.
A Divisive Issue
The UN Commission of Inquiry’s report is a critical milestone in the ongoing investigation of human rights violations in Gaza. While it does not constitute a formal legal ruling, its findings bring to the forefront the pressing need for accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The report is not just a condemnation of Israel’s actions, but also a call to action, one that seeks to prevent further atrocities.
As the world watches and debates the report’s conclusions, the question remains: Will the international community take meaningful action to address the alleged genocide, or will it continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza? The answer will likely determine the future for not only Gaza but also the broader quest for peace and justice in the Middle East.
Photo Credit: Forced displacement of Gaza Strip residents during the Gaza-Israel war 23-25 by Jaber Badwan. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report, an NGO nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. She is the author of Beyond the Veil: Afghan Women and Girls’ Journey to Freedom (forthcoming), Assad’s Syria, and Stories from Yemen: A Diary from the Field, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and independent bookstores worldwide. Distributed by Ingram. Ms. Kajs frequently speaks about atrocity crimes, forced displacement, state terrorism, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Follow and connect with Lara Kajs on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.