Gaza, November 14, 2024-A newly released report by the U.N. Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices in Gaza has accused Israel of actions consistent with the characteristics of genocide, citing its ongoing military operations in Gaza. The committee accused Israel of “using starvation as a method of war” and pointed to the “mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians.”
The report, covering the period from October 2023 to July 2024, highlighted Israel’s policies of denying Palestinians basic necessities such as food, water, and fuel, which the U.N. claims have created dire humanitarian conditions. The committee accused Israel of deliberately disrupting humanitarian aid and using vital supplies for political and military leverage.
Israel’s bombing campaigns, which have destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and food systems, were cited as contributing to a “lethal mix of crises” with long-lasting consequences. “By destroying vital water, sanitation, and food systems and contaminating the environment, Israel has created conditions that will inflict severe harm on generations to come,” the report warned.
The U.N. also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence-assisted targeting systems by the Israeli military, arguing that these systems have led to disproportionate civilian casualties, especially among women and children, due to minimal human oversight.
In addition to military actions, the committee criticized Israel for suppressing media and dissent, alongside targeting U.N. organizations and humanitarian workers. The committee urged U.N. member states to halt their support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, warning that failure to do so would weaken international legal frameworks and allow atrocities to go unchecked.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, as of Thursday, at least 43,736 Palestinians have been killed, and 103,370 injured since Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza on October 7, 2023. The findings of the committee will be presented to the U.N. General Assembly next Monday.
