GAZA, (PIC)
Israel’s warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide, a special UN committee said Thursday, saying that the Israeli occupation “is using starvation as a method of war.”
Israel’s warfare practices in Gaza “are consistent with the characteristics of genocide,” the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices said in a newly released report, pointing to the “mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.”
“Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life – food, water and fuel,” the committee said, adding that Israel has systematically interfered with humanitarian aid to use vital supplies for political and military ends.
Covering the period from October 2023 (when the Gaza offensive began) to July 2024, the report highlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s ongoing siege and bombing campaigns. It underscored how the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, including water, sanitation and food systems, has led to a humanitarian disaster.
“By destroying vital water, sanitation, and food systems and contaminating the environment, Israel has created a lethal mix of crises that will inflict severe harm on generations to come,” the committee warned.
The report also raised concerns over Israel’s use of artificial intelligence-enhanced targeting systems in military operations, which it claims has led to disproportionate civilian casualties, especially among women and children.
“The Israeli military’s use of AI-assisted targeting, with minimal human oversight, combined with heavy bombs, underscores Israel’s disregard of its obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants,” the committee said.
The committee also called for international accountability, urging UN member states to halt support for Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
“A failure to do so weakens the very core of the international legal system and sets a dangerous precedent, allowing atrocities to go unchecked,” it said.
On Thursday, the Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement that at least 43,736 Palestinians have been killed and 103,370 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.
