Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

 Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza

Amnesty International, in a report released yesterday, accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report cites statements by Israeli government and military officials described as "inhumane and genocidal," satellite images showing widespread destruction, and accounts from Gaza residents as its basis.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, stated, "For months, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as an inferior group, disregarding their human rights and dignity, and exhibiting a desire to physically eliminate them." She urged the international community to act, saying, "This is genocide. It must be stopped immediately."

Israel began its offensive in Gaza after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas last year. While Israel has consistently denied allegations of genocide, it has accused Hamas of using Palestinians as human shields.

Callamard emphasized that Amnesty's 300-page report includes incidents where "there was no presence of Hamas." Specifically, the report highlights 15 airstrikes conducted between October 7 last year and April 20 this year, which Amnesty claims lacked evidence of targeting military objectives. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 334 civilians, including 141 children.

Gaza Facing 'Slow Death' from Malnutrition, Hunger, and Disease, Says Amnesty Report

According to Amnesty International, along with thousands of deaths and physical and psychological trauma, residents of Gaza are enduring "malnutrition, hunger, and disease," amounting to a "slow death." Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty, alleged during a press conference that countries supplying weapons to Israel are violating their obligations under the Genocide Convention to prevent such atrocities.  

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 44,532 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, most of them civilians. The United Nations has deemed the ministry's data credible.  

Amnesty also announced plans to release a report on Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, during which 1,208 people were killed, the majority of whom were civilians. Following the attack, Hamas abducted 251 Israelis and brought them to Gaza. Some of the hostages have since been released, while others have reportedly been killed.  

Sources: AP, Al Jazeera