Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide in Gaza, according to the "most authoritative assessment" to date.
A United Nations Commission of Inquiry (CoI), established by the UN Human Rights Council, concluded that Israeli authorities "intended to kill as many Palestinians as possible" and have committed the crime against humanity of extermination.
The report cites direct targeting of civilians, including children, and mass killings in "far larger numbers compared to previous conflicts".
It also found Israel deliberately inflicted life-threatening conditions by blocking food, water and medicine — actions "calculated" to bring about the "destruction of Palestinians".
The inquiry's report follows a two-year investigation and builds on a growing number of assessments labelling Israel's actions as genocide.
"Today we witness in real time how the promise of 'never again' is broken and tested in the eyes of the world," the commission's chair Navi Pillay said in a press conference after the report's release.
"The ongoing genocide in Gaza is a moral outrage and a legal emergency."
In March, the commission found Israel had committed acts consistent with genocide and had used sexual violence as a weapon of war — but stopped short of outright declaring that Israel was committing genocide.
In a statement to the ABC, Israel rejected the report, labelling it "distorted and false" and called for the immediate abolition of the CoI.
Israel is currently fighting a case of genocide brought by South Africa in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Report finds 'no military necessity' behind actions
The commission concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces committed four of five genocidal acts under the 1948 Convention, including:
- Killing members of the group
- Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
- Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part
- Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
While Israel had labelled its actions in Gaza as self-defence, the commission stated there was "no military necessity to justify the pattern of its conduct" and that Israeli operations showed "no intention to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians".
According to the report, statements by Israeli leaders encouraged hatred and violence against Palestinians, and were interpreted by its forces as a directive to destroy them.
"The commission finds that genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference that could be drawn based on the pattern of conduct of the Israeli authorities," the report said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in July "there was no starvation in Gaza, no policy of starvation in Gaza" but later allowed aid air drops to recommence after a months-long blockade.
The commission said the intention of the Israeli authorities to continuously impose starvation was evident through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to "maintain total control over aid distribution."
"GHF does not distribute any essential items other than food, and all four distribution sites are in militarised zones… making it extremely difficult — and at times, impossible — for many Palestinians to access food," the report said.
The report stated that Israeli authorities knowingly imposed "unbearable conditions of life" on a trapped population, and that forces intentionally created "an atmosphere of panic and terror", including attacking civilians during evacuations.
"This makes Gaza unique among war zones this century," the report said.
The commission also found that Israel repeatedly attempted to change the narratives of incidents by concealing information to deflect responsibility and continue military operations.
In an interview with ABC News Channel, Commissioner Chris Sidoti said incidents described by Israel as "tragic mishaps" were instead deliberate policy.
"If you listened to Netanyahu, you would come to the conclusion that the Israeli Defence Forces are the most incompetent army in the world," Mr Sidoti said.
Urging states to act
The UN CoI called on countries to stop supplying arms and equipment to Israel that may be used for "genocidal acts".
It also urged governments to ensure individuals and corporations were not complicit in genocidal acts and pursue legal accountability for those involved.
In a statement, the commission's chair Navi Pillay warned that inaction would amount to complicity and erode the credibility of the international community.
"The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel," Ms Pillay said.
Mr Sidoti said the Australian government and others were obliged to act now, rather than wait for a final ruling from the International Court of Justice.
"We are providing the most authoritative assessment yet on the situation and the most authoritative until the court rules," Mr Sidoti said.
While the report is the most significant finding by an official body to date, it is not legally binding and does not compel any government to impose sanctions.
The report comes a week before world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where countries — including Australia — will recognise Palestinian statehood.
In June, Australia — alongside Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK — sanctioned far-right Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Last month, the Australian government cancelled the visa of a member of Israel's far right Mafdal-Religious Zionism party, which led to Israel revoking the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority.
Mr Sidoti urged Australia to investigate citizens returning from serving in the Israeli military for possible war crimes, and to review its broader relationship with Israel.
That comprises trade, military exports, and financial ties to organisations, including those supporting illegal settlements.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong did not answer questions about whether Australia would be taking any new actions in light of this report.
But she said the government had previously "condemned Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians seeking to access water and food".
"We reiterate our demand on the Netanyahu government to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, and to stop undermining a two-state solution," Ms Wong said in a statement.
