Amnesty accuses Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza

Amnesty International, a prominent human rights organization, has made serious allegations against Israel, claiming that the country is committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. This accusation has been met with strong denial from Israel, which insists that its actions are in full compliance with international law. The UK-based group stated that its conclusion is based on a variety of evidence, including dehumanizing statements made by Israeli officials, digital images, and testimonies from witnesses. Amnesty International has called for the international community to take notice of the situation, describing it as a 'wake-up call. ' In response, Israel's foreign ministry has labeled these claims as 'entirely false and based on lies,' while the Israeli military has dismissed the allegations as 'entirely baseless' and not reflective of the operational realities they face. In recent reports, local medical personnel have indicated that at least 50 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli air strikes in Gaza. The highest number of casualties occurred in the al-Mawasi tent camp for displaced individuals, where Israel claims it was targeting Hamas operatives. Amnesty International has conducted extensive research over several months and believes there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Israel has committed, and continues to commit, acts of genocide against the Palestinian population. The 1948 Genocide Convention, established after the Holocaust, defines genocide as actions taken with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Agnès Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty, stated that Israeli actions include killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza that are intended to bring about their physical destruction. She emphasized that month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group, unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating an intent to physically destroy them. This report from Amnesty International comes at a time when the International Court of Justice, located in The Hague, is examining allegations made by South Africa that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has dismissed this case as 'wholly unfounded' and based on 'biased and false claims. ' In response to Amnesty's allegations, Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for Israel's foreign ministry, described the organization as a 'deplorable and fanatical organization. ' He pointed out that the real massacre occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks against Israeli citizens, asserting that Israel is acting in self-defense and in accordance with international law. The Israeli military has stated that it is actively working to dismantle Hamas's military infrastructure in Gaza and is taking all feasible measures to minimize harm to civilians during its operations. Approximately 1,200 individuals in southern Israel, primarily civilians, were killed during the Hamas-led attacks 15 months ago, which triggered the ongoing Gaza war. Since that time, the Hamas-run health ministry has reported that at least 44,532 people have died in Gaza, with the majority being civilians. This figure is considered reliable by the United Nations. Recently, medics reported that 20 individuals were killed in an Israeli air strike on a tented camp in al-Mawasi. In the past day, Israel has continued to carry out attacks across various regions of Palestinian territory. At least 23 people were killed and many more were injured in an air strike on a camp for displaced individuals in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis. Social media videos have shown residents battling fires in the aftermath of the strikes. A local BBC cameraman captured footage of the wounded arriving at Nasser Hospital, including children covered in blood and a disabled man. Tragically, the bodies of two small children were among those killed, wrapped in blankets. The Israeli military stated that its attack targeted senior Hamas operatives who were acting in what it considers a humanitarian zone. They also reported that secondary explosions were detected after the strike, suggesting the presence of weaponry in the area. The military claimed to have taken steps to mitigate the risk of civilian harm and accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields for their activities. On Thursday, BBC footage showed people sifting through the wreckage of homes and piles of ash. Mohammed Abu Shahli, a local resident, expressed his anguish, saying, 'The strike hit us without any warning and did this big massacre. ' He explained that many of the people in the area are refugees from different locations, seeking safety. Abdul Rahman Jamaa, another survivor, shared his grief, stating that seven members of his family were killed, including his father and three brothers. He told the BBC, 'There are no protected safe areas as the Israelis say. These are all lies. May God protect us.