Amnesty: Israel Committing Genocide In Gaza

Human rights group Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza amid its ongoing war against Hamas in the region.

In a report released Wednesday, the organization listed facts about the war, which began Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas invaded Israel with a surprise attack and took more than 250 people captive. In response, Israel vowed to eliminate the Palestinian militant group and bring the hostages home.

However, the war has ravaged the Gaza Strip for a year and more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials. Extreme famine and disease have been rampant in the region as Palestinians grapple with the war and ceasefire talks have largely been stalled.

“In isolation, these are serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law," Amnesty wrote. "But looking at the broader picture of Israel’s military campaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts, the conclusion we came to is genocidal intent."

The group also argued that Israel’s continued actions after Hamas's initial attack cannot be justified as a response or defense.

“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now,” Amnesty Secretary-General Agnès Callamard said in the report.

Over the course of the war, Israel has rejected accusations that it is committing genocide or violating international law, even after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of his wartime Cabinet were issued warrants for arrest by the International Criminal Court last month.

Israel has also denounced Amnesty's report, calling it "entirely false."

“The deplorable and fanatical organization Amnesty International has once again produced a fabricated report that is entirely false and based on lies,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to reporting from The Associated Press.

Amnesty International Israel, a branch of the organization that wasn’t involved with the report, also rejected the allegations, the AP noted.

Still, in the report, the human rights group analyzed the pattern of Israel’s conduct over a nine-month stretch and reviewed official statements from the government and military officials.

“Through its research findings and legal analysis, Amnesty Internation has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel committed, during the nine-month period under review, prohibited acts,” the report reads.

“The organization has also found sufficient basis to conclude that these acts were committed with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, as such, who form a substantial part of the Palestinian population," the group wrote.

The organization called on the Israeli government to “immediately stop” its killing, bodily and mental harm and what it called a deliberate confliction of poor conditions of life.

Amnesty asked Israel to comply in good faith with the International Court of Justice’s proceedings, and to participate and uphold an immediate, sustained ceasefire.

President Biden said late last month that he will soon make a new push for a ceasefire in Gaza, after Israel agreed to pause its fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. That deal was brokered by the U.S. and France.

Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to the AP's request for comment.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.