Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 28, 2025 Human rights
The chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Navi Pillay, told a UN General Assembly committee on Tuesday that Israel had committed "four genocidal acts" in Gaza and that its political leaders had "incited the commission of genocide."
Introducing the commission's latest report, Pillay said the experts' findings were based on a legal analysis conducted in accordance with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
"We concluded that the State of Israel was responsible for committing four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinian people in Gaza as such," she said. "The commission also found that the President, Prime Minister, and former Minister of Defense of Israel incited the commission of genocide."
Pillay, the former head of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the situation in Gaza as "the most brutal, sustained and widespread attack on the Palestinian people in history."
Irreparable losses
Pillay noted that while the ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners offer hope, it cannot reverse the damage already done: "The Gaza Strip lies in ruins and is virtually uninhabitable."
According to her, Israeli officials publicly supported plans for deportation, settlement construction, and territorial annexation. Although the ceasefire has put these plans on hold, "recent statements by Israeli officials make it clear that these goals remain valid."
Occupied West Bank
The commission found that in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli policy since October 2023 – along with explicit and implicit support for settler violence – “demonstrates a clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand the presence of Israeli Jewish civilians, and annex most of the West Bank.”
The aim of this policy, according to Pillay, is “to prevent any possibility of Palestinian self-determination and statehood, and to maintain the indefinite occupation.”
Bringing to justice
Pillay called on UN member states to ensure justice and accountability by supporting International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations and using universal jurisdiction to prosecute suspects, including dual nationals.
"It pains me to realize that in this, my final speech as chair of this commission, I am forced to acknowledge that the post-war multilateral system failed to prevent this genocide," she said. "The international system has proven itself to be a failure."
In closing her remarks, Pillay called for "truth and reconciliation," adding that peace can only "take root and flourish" through justice.
Read also:
Gaza: Independent International Commission of Inquiry Accuses Israel of Genocide
Call for a permanent ceasefire
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, also addressed the General Assembly committee. In her speech, she emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Albanese called on Member States to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied territories and the dismantling of Israeli settlements. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur believes, countries must suspend all military, trade, and diplomatic ties with Israel "until it ends genocide, illegal occupation, and apartheid."
"This is how we will begin to honor the memory of those who perished. And if the Security Council is paralyzed, this Assembly must act in a spirit of unity for peace with greater resolve than ever before," she added.
Special Rapporteurs and other human rights experts appointed under the special procedures of the Human Rights Council are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They do not receive a salary for their work.
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