UN Says Israel's Gaza Actions Amount to Genocide

A UN Commission of Inquiry and several leading rights groups have concluded that Israel’s conduct in Gaza meets the legal definition of genocide, citing mass killings, siege-induced starvation, destruction of hospitals and dehumanizing rhetoric. Israel’s intensified air and ground offensive on Gaza City has forced mass displacement, with IDF estimates of roughly 550,000–700,000 evacuees and large parts of the territory devastated amid warnings of looming famine. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres and humanitarian officials have called for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, unconditional hostage releases and unhindered aid access, warning that impunity and settlement expansion are eroding prospects for a two‑state solution. Regional governments and organizations — including Egypt, Gulf states and Turkey — have condemned the attacks as genocide or ethnic cleansing, urged Security Council action and promoted diplomatic mediation and reconstruction plans, while Israel rejects the genocide findings and continues military operations. Some analysts say diplomatic steps such as recognition of a Palestinian state could undercut extremism and create space for negotiations, even as Hamas continues to launch rockets and carry out limited ground assaults.