This photo taken from the Israeli side of the Gaza border depicts destroyed buildings in the northern part of the region in January 2025. Two prominent Israeli human rights organizations have accused Israel of engaging in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, marking the first time such allegations have been made.
B’Tselem, in a comprehensive report released on Monday, asserted that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza after examining the country’s policies in the area and the devastating consequences, as well as statements made by senior Israeli officials regarding the objectives of their actions. Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) also joined B’Tselem in condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, citing a detailed legal and medical analysis highlighting the deliberate and systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system.
Responding to these accusations, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer dismissed the claims as unfounded, emphasizing that aid is being allowed into Gaza. The foreign ministry of Israel denounced the report as politically motivated and baseless, asserting that Israel targets Hamas, not civilians, and takes precautions to minimize harm to non-combatants while providing assistance.
Israel maintains that its actions in Gaza are in compliance with international law and are a response to Hamas attacks in October 2023. Previous accusations of genocide made by non-Israeli groups have been met with strong denials by the Israeli government, often attributing such claims to antisemitism.
B’Tselem’s 79-page report describes the situation in Gaza as one that cannot be justified as an effort to dismantle Hamas, but rather as a campaign of genocide against Palestinians. The report details mass killings, destruction of infrastructure, social fabric, widespread arrests, abuse of detainees, forced displacement, and attempts at ethnic cleansing.
The report is based on data collected over the past 20 months, encompassing numerous alleged incidents involving Israeli forces in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and within Israeli territory. PHRI corroborated the findings, pointing to a deliberate breakdown of crucial systems in Gaza.
The following is a revised version of the text:
“The organization PHRI stated that the deliberate harm inflicted on the Palestinian population is not merely collateral damage from war, but a targeted policy with the aim to harm them as a group. B’Tselem holds the Israeli government accountable for the situation in Gaza, while also accusing the international community of enabling genocide. The group criticized state leaders, particularly in Europe and the US, for not taking effective action to stop the genocide, and instead supporting Israel through statements affirming its ‘right to self-defense’ and providing weapons and ammunition, even after the International Court of Justice expressed concerns about genocidal acts.
Following the October 7 terror attacks, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people, including children, and the kidnapping of 251 others to Gaza, a sense of fear, rage, and desire for revenge among many Israelis provided fertile ground for incitement against Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza. As pressure mounts on Israel over the dire situation in Gaza, global outrage has been sparked by images of children dying from acute malnutrition. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have condemned the crisis as ‘man-made and avoidable.’
In the midst of domestic unrest, with protests demanding an end to the conflict and the release of hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces challenges from various sides. The situation in Gaza has prompted concerns from the presidents of five leading Israeli universities, who have criticized the intentional destruction of Gaza and the displacement of its civilian population advocated by some politicians.
While B’Tselem is the first Israeli organization to accuse the government of genocide, several international groups, organizations, and governments have previously reached similar conclusions. The seriousness of these accusations and the sensitivity surrounding the use of the term ‘genocide’ have sparked reactions globally. The United Nations Special Committee and Human Rights Watch have both condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as consistent with genocide, citing mass civilian casualties and the deprivation of essential resources such as water supplies.”
According to Amnesty International, there is “sufficient evidence” to suggest that genocide is taking place in the territory. In December 2023, the government of South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide in Gaza. Ireland has since joined South Africa in this case. The UN’s top court has ordered Israel to take immediate actions to prevent a genocide in Gaza, acting as emergency measures while the full case is considered, which could take years. Notable figures, including genocide expert Omer Bartov and historian Lee Mordechai, have also accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Dana Karni of CNN contributed to this report. To stay updated with CNN news and newsletters, sign up at CNN.com.