Amnesty International has released a damning report accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The report, titled “‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza,” details actions taken by Israel during and after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that Amnesty claims constitute genocide under international law. The report alleges that Israel has engaged in killings, inflicted serious harm, and deliberately created living conditions designed to destroy the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated that Israel’s actions demonstrate an intent to physically destroy Palestinians in Gaza, treating them as subhuman and unworthy of basic rights. The organisation calls for an immediate end to these actions and urges states supplying arms to Israel to cease their transfers, arguing that they risk complicity in genocide. Amnesty specifically names the USA and Germany as key arms suppliers that must act.
The report highlights the dire situation in North Gaza, where the population faces starvation, displacement, and relentless bombardment. Amnesty criticises Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid, accusing them of knowingly inflicting irreparable harm on Palestinians despite warnings and legal orders from the International Court of Justice. Amnesty contends that Israel’s stated military goal of eradicating Hamas does not justify genocidal intent, arguing that both can co-exist.
The organisation’s research methodology involved interviewing 212 individuals, including victims, witnesses, and healthcare workers. Fieldwork, analysis of visual and digital evidence, including satellite imagery, and review of statements by Israeli officials were also conducted. Amnesty claims to have shared its findings with Israeli authorities but received no substantive response.
Amnesty International asserts that Israel’s actions have led to the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,300 children, and injured over 97,000 by October 7, 2024. The organisation cites unprecedented destruction, claiming entire cities have been levelled, and critical infrastructure destroyed, rendering large parts of Gaza uninhabitable.
The report describes horrifying living conditions, with survivors recounting struggles with lack of clean water, sanitation, and constant bombing. Amnesty accuses Israel of creating a deadly combination of malnutrition, hunger, disease, and exposure to slow, calculated death. The organisation also alleges that hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza have been subjected to incommunicado detention, torture, and other ill-treatment.
Amnesty International analysed Israel’s conduct, official statements, and the historical context of apartheid, the blockade of Gaza, and the military occupation of Palestinian territory to determine genocidal intent. The organisation dismisses Israel’s claims of lawfully targeting Hamas and blaming Hamas for the humanitarian crisis, asserting that Israel repeatedly failed to take precautions to spare civilians and obstructed aid delivery.
The report highlights 22 statements made by senior Israeli officials that Amnesty believes call for or justify genocidal acts, providing direct evidence of genocidal intent. The organisation also cites audiovisual evidence of soldiers calling for the erasure of Gaza and celebrating the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure.
Amnesty International documented specific instances of killings and serious harm, reviewing 15 airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 334 civilians, including 141 children. The report details the destruction of the Abdelal family home in Rafah, where 16 children were killed while sleeping. These cases are presented as indicative of a broader pattern of attacks on civilians.
The report accuses Israel of deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to lead to the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. This includes damage to essential infrastructure, mass forced displacement through “evacuation” orders, and denial of essential services and humanitarian aid. Amnesty criticises Israel’s refusal to allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes or relocate to other areas.
Amnesty International calls for accountability, urging the International Criminal Court to investigate potential genocide charges. The organisation also demands the release of civilian hostages, accountability for Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, and targeted sanctions against implicated officials. The report concludes by calling for an end to impunity for Israel’s violations of international law and for strong international action to end the alleged genocide. Amnesty demands the arrest of Israeli officials indicted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity.