Two of Israel’s leading human rights organizations B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) have jointly accused the Israeli government of conducting a “deliberate and systematic genocide” in the Gaza Strip. In a damning report released Monday, the groups stated that the ongoing military campaign is not only marked by extreme brutality but also “clearly meets the criteria of genocide.”
According to the report, civilians in Gaza are being targeted solely on the basis of their Palestinian identity, resulting in devastating and often irreparable harm to Palestinian society. The rights groups emphasized that this is not merely a military retaliation but a calculated act of violence aimed at destroying an entire population group.
The accusations come amid Israel’s continued assault on Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Since then, Israeli forces have launched widespread bombings and ground operations that have drawn international criticism. While various international bodies and Palestinian organizations have labeled the actions as genocidal from the beginning, this is the first time such claims have been echoed so forcefully by prominent Israeli organizations themselves—likely increasing global pressure on Tel Aviv.
The report outlines a wide range of violations, including the killing of thousands of women, children, and elderly people; the displacement of millions; and the denial of basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. Homes, hospitals, and educational institutions have been systematically bombed, depriving the population of their fundamental human rights.
Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B’Tselem, remarked, “What we are witnessing is unmistakable—deliberate attacks on civilians aimed at annihilating a specific group. The question now is: in the face of genocide, what will you do?”
The PHRI portion of the report focused particularly on the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. Based on detailed data and eyewitness testimony, it documented how medical facilities and personnel were intentionally targeted. PHRI Director Guy Shalev stated that “under Article 2(c) of the UN Genocide Convention, such systematic targeting of a healthcare system is sufficient to define the situation as genocide.”
The report also points a finger at Israel’s Western allies—particularly the United States and several European nations—accusing them of offering either direct or indirect support for Israel’s actions. The two organizations argue that such support carries both moral and legal responsibility.
Shalev further noted, “Condemnation is no longer enough. Western governments must now act using every tool at their disposal under the Genocide Convention to stop this atrocity.”
Source: Reuter.