Israeli NGOs Accuse Israel of Genocide in Gaza

Two Israeli human rights organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, have accused Israel of committing “genocide” in the Gaza Strip. These are the first significant voices from Israeli society to make this accusation, which the government categorically denies.

Yuli Novak, Executive Director of B’Tselem, stated that her organization issued a report that she never imagined needing to compile, adding that the residents of Gaza have been displaced, bombed, and completely stripped of their humanity and rights.

B’Tselem's report is based on an analysis of testimonies, statistics, and events of Israeli policy over more than 20 months. Physicians for Human Rights focused on the dismantling of the Gaza health system.

David Mencer, a representative of the Israeli government, rejected the accusation, emphasizing that there is no intent of genocide. The Israeli military also dismissed the reports' conclusions as “baseless,” stressing that it adheres to international law.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The war in Gaza began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 people in Israel. Israeli military operations in Gaza have caused the deaths of at least 59,920 people, according to data from the Hamas Ministry of Health.