A report by Amnesty International claims that "Israel's" war on the Gaza Strip constitutes the war crime of genocide under international law, in a first declaration of its kind since the onset of the onslaught 14 months ago. 

The 32-page report published on Thursday examines events in Gaza from October 2023 to July 2024, accusing "Israel" of committing acts of genocide during the ongoing conflict. Amnesty found that the occupation "brazenly, continuously and with total impunity… unleashed hell" on Gaza, stating that "Israel’s" actions, including killings, inflicting harm, and creating life-threatening conditions, reflect an intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. 

The report emphasizes that  Hamas' October 7 Operation al-Aqsa Flood "does not justify genocide," further stressing that this marks the first time the organization had made such allegations during an active conflict, building on a previous UN report suggesting evidence of genocide.

Amnesty highlighted the deliberate obstruction of aid, destruction of essential systems, and displacement, describing these as part of a consistent pattern linked to the long-standing blockade and occupation of Gaza. 

Secretary-General Agnes Callamard, speaking at a conference on Wednesday, declared "Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call: this is genocide and it must stop now."

Budour Hassan, Amnesty’s researcher for "Israel" and the occupied Palestinian territories, told The Guardian that while the organization initially recognized a risk of genocide, the accumulated evidence revealed a situation far beyond mere violations of international law, pointing to something more profound.

Amnesty's main allegations 

Amnesty listed a series of major allegations and examined several facets to support its report:

- The unprecedented scale and expanse of destruction that have surpassed any other conflict recorded in the 21st century. 

- The intent to destroy after evaluating and rejecting claims of Israeli recklessness or indifference to civilian lives in their operations against Hamas.

- Engaging in repeated direct attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure or conducting deliberately indiscriminate assaults that result in death and severe physical or mental harm.

- Creating living conditions intended to cause physical destruction, including the destruction of medical facilities, the blockage of humanitarian aid, and issuing arbitrary and widespread "evacuation orders" affecting 90% of the population, directing them to areas unfit for habitation.

Amnesty calls for ceasefire

Kristine Beckerle, an adviser to Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa team, said that "Israel", as the occupying power, bears the legal responsibility to provide for the needs of the occupied population. However, she considered "Israel's" offensive on Rafah, the last relatively safe place in Gaza back then, as a critical turning point when it came to establishing intent.

"[Israel] had made Rafah the main aid point, and it knew civilians would go there. The ICJ ordered them to stop and they went ahead anyway... Rafah was key," she said. 

At least 47 people, including four children, were killed in airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday, with 21 of them sheltering in a tent camp near Khan Younis. 

Amnesty International has called on the UN to enforce a ceasefire, impose sanctions on Israeli and Hamas leaders alike, and for Western nations like the US, UK, and Germany to stop providing arms to "Israel". The rights group also urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate genocide and other war crimes. Additionally, Amnesty demanded the release of Israeli captives and accountability for Hamas and other groups responsible for the October 7 operation.

The report, titled "You Feel Like You Are Subhuman: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza," is expected to provoke strong reactions, with some legal experts suggesting the October 7 operation may have been genocidal as well, The Guardian added.