Investigators cite intent to destroy Palestinians, placing responsibility on top Israeli leaders
United Nations investigators have accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, pointing to actions and rhetoric by senior officials as evidence of intent to destroy the Palestinian population. Israel has rejected the findings as “false and distorted.”
Four Genocidal Acts Identified
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), led by former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, concluded that Israeli authorities have committed four of the five genocidal acts listed in the 1948 Genocide Convention. These include:
- Killing members of the group
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm
- Inflicting conditions of life calculated to destroy the group
- Imposing measures intended to prevent births
Pillay stated that Israeli civilian and military leaders’ explicit statements, combined with military conduct, demonstrated intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a group.
High-Level Responsibility
The report directly named President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of inciting genocide and failing to stop it. Pillay said the “responsibility for these atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest echelons.”
The commission, though not a legal body, emphasized that its findings provide evidence that may be used in future court proceedings.
Gaza War Toll and Displacement
According to Gaza’s health ministry, considered reliable by the UN, nearly 65,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its military campaign following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed about 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians.
The UN reports that most Gazans have been displaced at least once, with famine declared in Gaza City amid ongoing fighting.
Cooperation With the ICC
The COI said it is sharing evidence with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which in May issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pillay noted that “thousands of pieces of information” had been provided to prosecutors.
In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide and punish incitement. Despite this, investigators say genocidal rhetoric and actions have continued.
International Reaction and Rejection
Israel has categorically rejected the UN findings, calling the commission’s work biased and demanding its abolition. The US government under President Donald Trump reacted to the ICC warrants by sanctioning two ICC judges and prosecutors, barring them from entry and freezing their US assets.
Meanwhile, UN officials, NGOs, and independent experts have repeatedly warned of a risk of genocide. While the UN as a body has not officially used the term, its aid chief in May urged leaders to “act decisively to prevent genocide.”
The UN inquiry’s accusation of genocide against Israel intensifies global scrutiny of the Gaza war. With tens of thousands of civilian deaths, widespread displacement, and famine, the findings amplify pressure on the international community to act—while Israel’s rejection and US opposition highlight the deep political divides surrounding accountability.
Sources: CNA (2025) , France 24 (2025)
Keywords: UN Inquiry, Israel Gaza War, Genocide Convention, Netanyahu, Navi Pillay, ICC Arrest Warrants
