A United Nations Special Investigation Committee has identified the Israeli attack on Gaza and the unlivable conditions it has created as features of genocide. Israel has deliberately imposed deadly conditions on Palestinians and is causing massive civilian casualties, the Committee to Analyze Israel's Conduct in Gaza has said in a new report.
According to the UN High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) committee's report, 'since the start of the war, Israeli officials have openly advocated policies that deprive Palestinians of the basic necessities of life – food, water and fuel. These statements and illegal interference with humanitarian aid indicate that Israel is using life-saving supplies for political and military gain.'
The report reviewed events in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the Syrian Golan Heights between October 2023 and July 2024. In particular, the trial analyzed how the current war situation in Gaza has had a profound effect on the Palestinians.
The committee also said, 'Israel is imposing collective punishment on the Palestinian people through starvation and serious injury in Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, attacks on civilians and disregard of international court and Security Council orders.'
The report also describes the destruction of essential services and long-term environmental damage caused by Israeli bombing of Gaza. By early 2024, some 25,000 tons of explosives—the equivalent of two nuclear bombs—were dropped on Gaza. As a result, the region's water and sewage systems have collapsed, agricultural fields have been destroyed, and toxic pollution has spread.
“By destroying water, sanitation and food systems and spreading toxic pollution into the environment, Israel has created a deadly crisis that will have impacts for generations,” the committee said in its report.
The report highlights the troubling aspects of the Israeli military's use of AI-based targeting technology. It said the technology has adversely affected civilians. In particular, it has led to increased casualties and the majority of casualties are women and children. The committee said, 'Israeli forces do not distinguish between civilian and military targets in AI-based targeting and use of heavy bombs, indicating a dereliction of duty to avoid civilian casualties.'
In addition to carrying out the destruction of Gaza, the committee also said that Israel is trying to stop the flow of information from the world through censorship, suppression of expression and repressive measures against journalists. The report also noted the removal of pro-Palestinian content on social media and discrimination against posts inciting violence against Palestinians.
The committee said in its report, “Attempts are underway to disrupt aid operations through defamation and attacks against the United Nations and its aid agency, UNRWA.” The committee called on all UN member states to halt Israel's actions in accordance with international law and hold them accountable for violations of its laws.
The report of the committee will be presented to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 November 2024.
References: Al-Jazeera
