This Tuesday, the Israeli Prime Minister confirmed the launch of an intense military operation on Gaza City, including a ground incursion after a night of massive airstrikes. Local authorities reported at least 37 Palestinians killed as a result of the bombings, while thousands of residents have been urged to relocate ahead of the military advance.
The announcement coincides with a report from independent UN investigators accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, alleging that the goal of the offensive is to “destroy the Palestinians” living in the city. The United Nations claims that top Israeli officials have been held responsible for incitement and actions that could meet several genocide criteria established by the 1948 Convention.
Israeli officials, for their part, argue that the operation is necessary to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure and ensure national security. They have also categorically rejected the genocide accusations as unfounded and politically motivated.
Why are these UN accusations so serious?
Because they are not merely political statements: they are supported by data on mass civilian deaths, systematic destruction, humanitarian blockades, and patterns of conduct that align with international legal criteria for genocide. This report could alter the international diplomatic dynamic if sanctions or deeper investigations are adopted.