UN committee alleges genocide by Israel, reports 25,000 tonnes of explosives dropped on Gaza, matching power of two nuclear bomb
A Palestinian girl searches in the rubble of a building after an Israeli strike in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip. -/AFP via Getty Images
The UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices has accused Israel of employing warfare tactics in Gaza that align with the characteristics of genocide.
In a report released on Thursday, the committee highlighted Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon, widespread civilian casualties, and the deliberate creation of life-threatening conditions for Palestinians.
The committee stated that since the onset of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported actions depriving Palestinians of food, water, and fuel—essentials for survival. It condemned Israel’s “systematic and unlawful” blocking of humanitarian aid, alleging the country is using life-saving supplies for political and military leverage.
The report, covering October 2023 to July 2024, criticized Israel’s siege of Gaza, obstruction of aid, and targeted attacks on civilians and aid workers.
It described these actions as collective punishment that violates repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice, and Security Council resolutions. The bombing campaign in Gaza, the report noted, has caused catastrophic destruction, the collapse of essential services, and long-term environmental and health crises.
By early 2024, Israel had reportedly dropped over 25,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza, equivalent to two nuclear bombs. This has devastated infrastructure, agriculture, and water systems, creating what the committee called a “lethal mix of crises” with generational consequences.
The report also raised concerns about Israel’s use of artificial intelligence in targeting operations, leading to the deaths of disproportionate numbers of women and children.
Additionally, it criticized Israel for escalating censorship, targeting journalists, and disproportionately removing pro-Palestinian content from social media platforms.
“Through its siege over Gaza, obstruction of humanitarian aid, alongside targeted attacks and killing of civilians and aid workers, despite repeated UN appeals, binding orders from the International Court of Justice and resolutions of the Security Council, Israel is intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war and inflicting collective punishment on the Palestinian population,” the committee said.
The “extensive” Israeli bombing campaign has wiped out essential services in Gaza and caused an “environmental catastrophe” that will have “lasting health impacts,” it adds.
The committee called on all states to uphold international law, prevent violations, and hold Israel accountable, warning that failure to act undermines the international legal system and enables unchecked atrocities.
The full report will be presented to the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly on Monday.
