Two Top Israeli Human Rights Groups Accuse Israel Of Genocide In Gaza

Two of Israel’s leading human rights organizations have accused the Israeli government of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, marking the first instance of such a claim by Israeli groups.

In a comprehensive 79-page report released on Monday, July 28, B’Tselem determined that Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza amount to genocide. The organization pointed to Israel’s policies, the extent of destruction, and public remarks by senior political and military officials as evidence supporting its conclusion.

“Nothing prepares you for the realization that you are part of a society committing genocide. This is a deeply painful moment,” said Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B’Tselem. “As Israelis and Palestinians who live here and witness the reality every day, we have a duty to speak the truth as clearly as possible: Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. Our genocide has context.”

Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) supported B’Tselem’s accusations, releasing its own analysis that detailed what it called the “deliberate and systematic dismantling of the health system in Gaza and other essential services vital to civilian survival.”

PHRI argued that the devastation exceeds collateral damage: “This is not about unintended consequences of war, but a deliberate policy aimed at harming the Palestinian population as a group.”

The Israeli government promptly dismissed the allegations. “We have free speech in this country, but we strongly reject this claim,” said government spokesperson David Mencer, emphasizing that Israel has facilitated humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza.

Israel asserts that its actions in Gaza, initiated in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks, are lawful measures of self-defense. Those attacks resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals to Gaza.

B’Tselem’s report accuses Israeli forces of widespread killings, extensive destruction of infrastructure, forced displacement, and attempts to unravel Gaza’s social fabric. It also underscores what it terms “genocidal intent” in statements by Israeli officials since the onset of the conflict.

The organization stated that its findings are drawn from data gathered over 20 months, encompassing thousands of incidents across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel. The report incorporates information from B’Tselem’s fieldwork and other verified sources.

B’Tselem also criticized the international community, particularly the U.S. and European governments, for “enabling genocide” through ongoing political and military support.

“Many state leaders have not only refrained from effective action to stop the genocide but enabled it—through statements affirming Israel’s ‘right to self-defense’ or the continued shipment of weapons and ammunition,” the report said.

It highlighted that such support persisted despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) identifying a “plausible risk” that Israel’s actions in Gaza could constitute genocidal acts.

The report emerges amid increasing domestic and international pressure on the Israeli government regarding the situation in Gaza. Images of malnourished children and warnings of famine have triggered global outrage. Governments such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany recently labeled the crisis as “man-made and avoidable.”

Within Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing protests demanding an end to the war and the release of hostages, while far-right coalition members threaten to topple the government if military operations halt.

On Monday, the presidents of five prominent Israeli universities issued an open letter to Netanyahu expressing profound concern. “We observe with shock the harrowing scenes emerging daily from Gaza, where hunger and disease continue to claim the lives of the most vulnerable,” they wrote. The letter also denounced “appalling” statements by Israeli politicians advocating for Gaza’s destruction and the forced displacement of its population.

Although B’Tselem is the first Israeli organization to accuse the government of genocide, similar claims have previously been made by international organizations and governments.

Last year, the UN Special Committee reported that Israel’s actions in Gaza were “consistent with the characteristics of genocide.” Human Rights Watch accused Israel of “acts of genocide” in December 2024, and Amnesty International stated that there was “sufficient evidence” to suggest genocide was occurring.

In December 2023, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the ICJ, alleging genocide, with Ireland later joining the case. In response, the UN’s top court ordered Israel to take “all measures” to prevent genocide in Gaza while it continues to assess the case’s full merits—a process that could take years.

Prominent figures, including genocide scholar Omer Bartov, have supported these accusations. In an op-ed published in The New York Times, Bartov wrote that the “inescapable conclusion has become that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli