Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza Conflict

4 Dec 2024

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Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza Conflict \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide during its war with Hamas, alleging deliberate attacks on civilians, infrastructure destruction, and restricted aid deliveries. The report challenges the justification of these actions under international law, calling on allies like the U.S. to halt arms shipments to Israel. Israel denies the allegations, describing them as baseless, and emphasizes its efforts to target militants while defending its actions under international law.

Amnesty International Accuses Israel: Quick Looks

Genocide Claims: Amnesty alleges Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, citing destruction and restricted aid.
Call to Allies: Amnesty urges the U.S. and others to stop military aid to Israel.
Israel’s Denial: Israel calls the accusations false, blaming Hamas for civilian casualties.
Civilian Impact: The Gaza offensive has displaced 90% of the population and killed over 44,500 people, according to Gaza health officials.
Global Reactions: Pope Francis, Saudi Arabia, and rights groups join calls for investigations into alleged war crimes.

Deep Look

Amnesty International has released a scathing report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza during its ongoing conflict with Hamas. The report alleges that Israeli actions—including widespread attacks, infrastructure destruction, and restricting essential aid—constitute deliberate attempts to destroy the Palestinian population. Amnesty has called on international allies, particularly the United States, to pressure Israel and halt arms shipments supporting its military campaign.

Allegations of Genocide

Amnesty International argues that Israel’s actions in Gaza violate the 1951 Genocide Convention. The report analyzed Israeli conduct from October 7, 2023, to July 2024, and concluded that these actions aimed to inflict “a slow, calculated death” on the Palestinian population. This includes:

Destroying homes, farms, hospitals, and water facilities.
Issuing mass evacuation orders.
Restricting humanitarian aid and access to essential services.

The report highlights 15 specific airstrikes, which Amnesty says killed at least 334 civilians, including 141 children, without targeting any legitimate military objectives. One airstrike destroyed the Abdelal family home in Rafah, killing 16 children in their sleep.

Amnesty also reviewed over 100 statements by Israeli officials that it claims dehumanized Palestinians or justified genocidal acts. Israel denies these allegations, stating the remarks were taken out of context and referred solely to the destruction of Hamas.

Israel’s Defense and Counterclaims

Israel has firmly denied Amnesty’s accusations, calling them unfounded and antisemitic. Its Foreign Ministry described the report as “fabricated” and “entirely false,” emphasizing that its military actions are directed against Hamas militants, not civilians.

Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian areas for military operations, including tunnels and weapon stockpiles, which complicates its efforts to minimize civilian casualties. It also claims it has facilitated humanitarian aid deliveries, though this is disputed by the United Nations and aid groups on the ground.

Broader Accusations and Global Reactions

The Amnesty report adds to a growing list of voices accusing Israel of genocide. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pope Francis have both called for investigations into whether Israeli actions amount to genocide. Human rights organizations and Palestinian allies have also joined these calls.

However, key Israeli allies, including the United States and Germany, have rejected the genocide allegations. They argue that Israel is targeting Hamas, not the Palestinian people, and emphasize the complexities of the conflict.

Civilian Toll in Gaza

The war, which began after Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages in a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, has had catastrophic effects on Gaza.

Casualties: Over 44,500 deaths reported by Gaza health officials, with more than half said to be women and children.
Displacement: 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, many living in dire conditions with limited access to food, water, or sanitation.
Humanitarian Crisis: Aid organizations warn of famine, disease, and malnutrition, particularly in northern Gaza, which has been heavily restricted by Israeli forces.

Israel blames the humanitarian crisis on Hamas for its use of civilian areas and on the United Nations for failing to distribute available aid.

Amnesty’s Call to Action

Amnesty’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard described the findings as “a wake-up call to the international community.” She urged the United States, Germany, and other nations to suspend military aid to Israel and pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war.

The Biden administration has acknowledged potential violations of international law in Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons but emphasized that evidence remains incomplete. Calls for greater scrutiny and accountability continue to mount.

Ethical and Legal Questions

The Amnesty report raises significant legal and ethical questions about the conduct of war, the protection of civilians, and the responsibilities of international allies. While Amnesty accuses Israel of genocide, the Israeli government argues that it is fighting a defensive war against a terrorist organization committed to its destruction.

The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice are both examining allegations against Israel, but outcomes in such cases are typically years away.