Gaza city: Two prominent Israeli human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, alleging systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the dismantling of the territory's healthcare infrastructure.
According to Anadolu Agency, B'Tselem, in a newly released report, argued that Israeli policies and their consequences, combined with statements from senior officials, lead to an "unequivocal conclusion" that Israel is actively working to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza. Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B'Tselem, highlighted the moral responsibility shared by Israelis and Palestinians to acknowledge and speak out against what they consider to be acts of genocide.
Another organization, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI), has published a legal-medical analysis asserting that Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza align with the criteria for genocide as defined by the UN Genocide Convention. Dr. Guy Shalev, Director of PHRI, emphasized that the damage to Gaza's healthcare system is not an incidental consequence of warfare, but rather a deliberate policy aimed at inflicting harm on Palestinians as a collective group.
The reports from these organizations document extensive civilian casualties, massive displacement, starvation, and the destruction of essential infrastructure. They also warn of similar destructive patterns emerging in the occupied West Bank, albeit on a smaller scale. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 14 additional Palestinians, including two children, died in the last 24 hours due to hunger and malnutrition, raising the total number of starvation-related deaths since October 7, 2023, to 147, including 88 children.
The Government Media Office in Gaza has issued a dire warning that over 40,000 Palestinian infants are at risk of death as Israel continues to obstruct the entry of baby formula into the region. Both Israeli rights groups have criticized the international community, particularly Western governments, for their complicity through either active support or silence amidst the ongoing crisis.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli military has maintained its offensive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 60,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The ongoing conflict has devastated the enclave and exacerbated food shortages.
In November of the previous year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.