The word genocide is in the news as a United Nations report applies it to Israel's nearly two-year-old war in the Gaza Strip, a neighboring Palestinian territory. An independent commission of experts appointed by the UN concluded two weeks ago: "It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention." Statements by Israeli authorities are "direct evidence of genocidal intent," the study says. Genocide (pronounced JENN-oh-side), which the UN recognized as a crime in 1946, is defined as the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group."

The UN's 78-page analysis adds: "The State of Israel bears responsibility for the failure to prevent genocide, the commission of genocide and the failure to punish genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip." Israel has rejected similar allegations from scholars and human rights groups, saying its targets are Hamas militia fighters. "In stark contrast to the lies in the report, Hamas is the party that attempted genocide in Israel," a foreign ministry spokesman responded this month.

Israel's latest air and ground assaults in an ongoing conflict began in October 2023 after a surprise cross-border attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants killed 1,195 Israelis and foreigners, including 815 civilians. Another 251 people were taken hostage with the stated goal of forcing Israel to release Palestinian prisoners. Israel then announced "a complete siege on Gaza – no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel." The response – which the UN describes as indiscriminate bombing – has killed over 64,000 Palestinians in Gaza and injured more than 164,000, drawing global condemnation. Severe hunger and widespread homelessness also have resulted because Israel blocked humanitarian aid at times, the new report says. By its estimate, 78 percent of the coastal strip's structures are damaged or destroyed. "There is famine in Gaza. People are starving to death," former senior UN official Craig Mokhiber said on PBS News Hour. "And that is the result of the intentional policies of the Israeli regime.”

An Israeli reaction to the UN finding comes from Eran Shamir-Borer, a former military lawyer who now directs an independent Center for Security and Democracy in Jerusalem. He calls the analysis "outrageous" and "unprofessional," adding on PBS: "The report is wrong about the law, is wrong about the facts. . . . You can't assess the legality of Israeli actions without actually also assessing Hamas' conduct. This is the terror organization that carries out attacks against Israeli civilians [and] that shields itself with its own civilians." Though the UN commission has no enforcement power, its chairwoman expects the findings to influence the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. South Africa has asked those forums in the Netherlands to declare that Israel is committing genocide.

UN inquiry chairwoman: "Every act of genocide is a test of the humanity that binds us. . . . The law requires action. Our common humanity demands it." – Navi Pillay, South African judge and former UN high commissioner for human rights

Republican U.S. senator says: "This latest announcement by the United Nations is no different than any of the other antisemitic smears and libels that have been leveled against Israel in their ongoing response to Hamas' atrocities. This campaign directly undermines American national security interests by eroding Israel's freedom of action against Hamas terrorists." – Ted Cruz of Texas

Liberal U.S. senator says: "Israel has not simply defended itself against Hamas. Instead, it has waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people. . . . The intent is clear. The conclusion is inescapable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza." – Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont