Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its ongoing conflict with Hamas. The human rights group claims Israel has intentionally targeted Palestinians, causing widespread death, destruction of essential infrastructure, and preventing the delivery of crucial aid like food and medicine.
In a report published on December 5, 2024, Amnesty International stated that Israel's actions cannot be justified by Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war, nor by the presence of militants in civilian areas. The organization also suggested that the United States and other countries supporting Israel could be complicit in these actions and called for an end to arms shipments to Israel.
The report, titled “You Feel Like You Are Subhuman: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza,” documents how Israel’s military actions, especially after Hamas's deadly assault in southern Israel, have caused relentless destruction in Gaza. Amnesty describes these acts as part of a larger pattern aimed at physically eradicating Palestinians in Gaza, through killings, mental and physical harm, and the deliberate creation of conditions that could lead to their destruction.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated, “Israel’s actions amount to genocide, and the international community must recognize it and act to stop it now.” The report argues that countries supplying arms to Israel, such as the U.S., Germany, and others, are violating their duty to prevent genocide and could be complicit in the atrocities.
Amnesty’s findings paint a grim picture of the situation in Gaza, particularly in the northern part of the territory, where civilians are facing severe malnutrition, displacement, and continuous bombardment. The report highlights that Israel’s actions have caused catastrophic harm, with more than 42,000 Palestinians killed and over 97,000 injured by October 7, 2024. The destruction includes entire cities, agricultural land, and vital infrastructure, leaving large parts of Gaza uninhabitable.
Amnesty also points out that Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which includes cutting off essential supplies like electricity, water, and fuel, has worsened the humanitarian crisis. Despite multiple warnings and international court orders, Israel has continued to block humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of Gaza’s population.
In its investigation, Amnesty International interviewed 212 people, including victims, witnesses, and local officials, and analyzed a vast amount of evidence, including satellite imagery and statements from Israeli officials. The organization concluded that Israel’s actions go beyond military strategy against Hamas and are part of a broader effort to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Amnesty also documented specific attacks on civilians, including airstrikes that killed entire families, often in residential areas. In one example, an airstrike on April 20, 2024, killed three generations of the Abdelal family, including 16 children, while they were sleeping.
The report also details how Israel's mass “evacuation” orders, which displaced nearly 1.9 million Palestinians, have created unbearable living conditions. These forced displacements, combined with the destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, have left the population vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, and a lack of basic necessities.
Amnesty’s report calls on the international community to take immediate action to stop what it describes as ongoing genocide in Gaza. The organization argues that the continued transfer of arms to Israel and the failure of governments to push for a ceasefire are contributing to the crisis and must end.
“The international community must stop pretending they are powerless to stop this genocide,” said Agnès Callamard. “It’s time for governments to act.”
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