LONDON: Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing a “live-streamed genocide” in Gaza, as part of its latest annual human rights report, which was released on Tuesday.
The report condemns Israel for forcibly displacing nearly the entire population of Gaza and exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated that since October 7, 2023, the world has been witnessing “a live-streamed genocide” carried out by Israel. She further claimed that Israel’s actions were conducted with the “specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza,” accusing the country of engaging in practices that amounted to war crimes.
According to the report, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to catastrophic consequences, with over 90 percent of Gaza’s population—around 1.9 million people—displaced. Civilians face severe deprivation, including widespread hunger, disease, and a lack of access to medical care. The report highlights the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, including water and healthcare services, as well as indiscriminate attacks on residential areas.
The Gaza Health Ministry, in its update, reported over 52,000 Palestinian deaths since Israel’s attacks began. Furthermore, Gaza’s civil defense team announced that an airstrike on a tent camp for displaced persons in southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of four more individuals. Amnesty claims that Israel is responsible for these deaths, as part of its broader assault on Gaza’s civilian population.
Israel has continued to reject Amnesty’s allegations, stating that its military operations are necessary for national security and self-defense. Israel’s foreign minister has also dismissed the ongoing hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which are examining Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law. The hearings also address accusations that Israel has used humanitarian aid as a “weapon of war,” amid the dire conditions faced by the people of Gaza.
Amnesty International also expressed concern about Israel’s operations in the West Bank and reiterated its stance on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, labeling it as “apartheid.” The organization criticized the global community for failing to take decisive action against Israel’s policies, calling international responses “powerless” and “politically unwilling.”
Despite the severity of the accusations, the Israeli government has not yet issued a formal response to the latest Amnesty report.
