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A long-awaited inquiry by the United Nations (UN) has concluded that Israeli forces deliberately targeted Palestinian children in Gaza, establishing a clear genocidal intent to destroy the Palestinian population. The scathing report, which was released on Wednesday, raises severe concerns about the Israeli government’s actions during the 11-day conflict in May 2021.
According to the UN inquiry, Israeli forces engaged in a systematic campaign of violence against Palestinian civilians, particularly children, who were often the primary targets of Israeli airstrikes and shelling. The report notes that hundreds of Palestinian children were killed or injured during the conflict, with many more forced to flee their homes due to the intensifying violence.
The UN inquiry, which was headed by two veteran jurists, concluded that the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza constituted a clear example of genocide, as defined by the 1948 Genocide Convention. The report cites numerous examples of Israeli forces deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians, including children, in what it describes as a calculated effort to destroy the Palestinian population.
“We have found clear evidence of a genocidal intent on the part of the Israeli military,” said one of the inquiry’s lead authors, in a statement released on Wednesday. “The targeting of Palestinian children is a particularly egregious example of this intent, as it serves as a clear indication of a desire to destroy the Palestinian population and eradicate them from the face of the earth.”
The UN inquiry also criticized the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, noting that the military’s use of disproportionate force and its failure to exercise restraint during the conflict constituted serious violations of international humanitarian law. The report calls on the international community to take urgent action to prevent further violence and protect Palestinian civilians, particularly children.
Human rights organizations have welcomed the findings of the UN inquiry, with many calling on governments around the world to take concrete action to hold Israel accountable for its actions. “The world must recognize that the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza constitute a clear example of genocide, and take concrete steps to prevent further violence and protect Palestinian civilians,” said a spokesperson for one human rights organization.
The Israeli government has rejected the findings of the UN inquiry, calling them “biased” and “pre-determined.” However, the report’s conclusions are likely to have significant diplomatic and legal implications, and may lead to increased pressure on the Israeli government to address the concerns of the international community.