Amnesty International’s 296-page report released Wednesday claims there is sufficient evidence that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide. The report alleges that Israel’s military actions have involved the mass killing of civilians, causing serious harm, and intentionally creating living conditions meant to destroy Palestinians physically or mentally. Amnesty’s evidence spans nine months and covers indiscriminate attacks, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and mass displacement.
Amnesty’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, said Israel has treated Palestinians as subhuman, showing intent to destroy them. The report specifically highlights Israel’s actions since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel. Since then, over 44,000 people in Gaza have died, with more than 100,000 injured.
Israel has firmly rejected the genocide accusations, calling the report “baseless.” They argue that the challenges their military faces in Gaza, such as Hamas using civilians as human shields, were not considered. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized their efforts to minimize civilian harm.
While Amnesty acknowledges Hamas’ violations, it stresses that Israel must still abide by international humanitarian law, ensuring protection for civilians. This report adds to a series of similar accusations against Israel, with former Israeli officials and organizations like Human Rights Watch and the UN warning that Israel’s actions may constitute war crimes or ethnic cleansing. Despite these claims, Israel continues to defend its conduct, insisting its military actions are lawful.
