Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, has presented a damning report to UN member states in Geneva, claiming that Israel’s actions in Gaza may amount to “acts of genocide.” Her findings have intensified global scrutiny and added to the mounting calls for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict.
Albanese’s report, titled “Anatomy of a Genocide,” outlines evidence suggesting that Israel may have violated the Genocide Convention. She highlights three key actions allegedly committed by Israel:
- Killing members of the Palestinian group.
- Inflicting serious physical and mental harm.
- Creating living conditions aimed at their destruction.
The report claims that over 32,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, with dense bombings and restricted aid exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The UN warns that conditions in Gaza now border on famine.
Divided International Reaction
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Meirav Eilon Shahar, dismissed the report as “an outrageous distortion” of international law, accusing Albanese of undermining Israel’s legitimacy. Israel, which views the UN Human Rights Council’s permanent focus on its actions as discriminatory, boycotted discussions under the contentious “Item 7.”
Conversely, Palestinian human rights groups welcomed the report. Basel Alsourani of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights argued that genocide is a global concern, stating:
“If genocide happens without accountability in Gaza, it sets a dangerous precedent worldwide.”
A Complex Landscape
Albanese’s report also condemns Hamas for its violent actions, including the October 7 attack on Israel, which killed civilians and led to hostage-taking. Families of hostages, like Noam Peri, who advocates for her kidnapped father’s return, feel torn between seeking justice and witnessing growing criticism of Israel.
Meanwhile, aid agencies have described dire conditions in Gaza, with children undergoing surgeries without anesthesia and civilians forced to eat grass. As international pressure builds, member states are increasingly urging Israel to adopt a strategy that prioritizes civilian protection.
While Albanese’s use of the term “genocide” is controversial, her report adds to the global outcry, forcing the international community to confront difficult questions about accountability in Gaza.
