A United Nations Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This assessment, described as the "most authoritative" to date, claims that Israeli authorities have the intent to kill as many Palestinians as possible. The report, released by the UN Human Rights Council, states that Israel has committed acts of extermination, targeting civilians, including children, and conducting mass killings at unprecedented levels compared to previous conflicts.

The commission's findings are based on a two-year investigation. It highlights that Israel has deliberately created life-threatening conditions by blocking essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine. These actions are described as "calculated" to lead to the destruction of the Palestinian population. The report builds on earlier assessments, including one from March, which indicated that Israel's actions were consistent with genocide but did not make a definitive declaration at that time.

In response to the report, Israel has rejected its conclusions, calling them "distorted and false." Israeli officials have also called for the immediate dissolution of the Commission of Inquiry. Currently, Israel is facing a genocide case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.

The commission identified four out of five genocidal acts under the 1948 Convention that Israeli authorities and security forces have committed. These include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to bring about physical destruction, and imposing measures to prevent births within the group.

While Israel has characterized its actions in Gaza as self-defense, the commission found no military necessity to justify its conduct. It stated that Israeli operations showed no intention to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. The report also noted that statements from Israeli leaders have incited hatred and violence against Palestinians, which were interpreted by military forces as directives to destroy them.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously claimed there was no starvation in Gaza. However, the commission pointed out that aid distribution is heavily controlled, with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation only providing food and operating in militarized zones, making access difficult for many Palestinians.

The report describes the conditions imposed by Israeli authorities as "unbearable" and states that they have created an atmosphere of panic and terror. It also accuses Israel of attempting to manipulate narratives surrounding military incidents to deflect responsibility.

Commissioner Chris Sidoti stated that incidents labeled by Israel as "tragic mishaps" were, in fact, part of a deliberate policy. He emphasized that the international community must act, warning that inaction would equate to complicity in the ongoing situation.

The UN Commission of Inquiry has urged countries to halt the supply of arms and equipment to Israel that could be used in genocidal acts. It also called for legal accountability for individuals and corporations involved in such actions. The commission's chair, Navi Pillay, stressed that the international community cannot remain silent regarding what she termed a genocidal campaign.

While the report is significant, it is not legally binding and does not compel any government to impose sanctions. It comes just before the United Nations General Assembly, where discussions on recognizing Palestinian statehood are expected to take place. Recently, Australia and several other countries imposed sanctions on far-right Israeli government ministers and took actions against members of Israel's far-right political factions.