Amnesty International has published a damning report accusing Israel of committing acts in Gaza that meet the legal definition of genocide, concluding months of investigation and research.
The report, released on Thursday and titled “You Feel Like You Are Subhuman”: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, presents findings from witness interviews, digital evidence, satellite imagery, and statements by Israeli officials. According to Amnesty, the Israeli military has committed at least three of the five acts outlawed under the 1948 Genocide Convention: indiscriminate civilian killings, severe physical and mental harm, and “deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction.”
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, stated: “Month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its intent to physically destroy them. Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted in committing genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm it was inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza.”
Callamard highlighted Israel’s alleged disregard for warnings about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and legally binding orders from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to enable humanitarian aid. She argued that the crimes occur within a broader context of dispossession, apartheid, and military occupation, all pointing to an intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli military has defended its operations, stating they target Hamas fighters embedded among Gaza’s civilian population. However, Amnesty rejected this justification, stating: “The presence of Hamas fighters near or within a densely populated area does not absolve Israel from its obligations to take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and avoid indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks.”
The report found no evidence that alleged misuse of humanitarian aid by armed groups justified Israel’s stringent restrictions on life-saving aid to Gaza’s civilians. Amnesty also examined over 100 statements from Israeli government and military officials, some of which allegedly dehumanized Palestinians and justified or encouraged genocidal acts.
Callamard criticized the international community for failing to act decisively, calling it a “seismic, shameful failure.” She urged governments to end arms sales to Israel, hold it accountable for violations of international law, and stop delaying calls for a ceasefire.
Israeli authorities have not yet responded to the report but have previously denied genocide accusations, framing their actions as self-defence against Hamas attacks. They have also dismissed some criticism as anti-Semitic.
Amnesty’s report has sparked renewed calls for international intervention and accountability, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.