Israel is carrying out direct genocide in Gaza with the specific intention of erasing Palestinians – Amnesty International

Israel is carrying out direct genocide in Gaza with the specific intention of erasing Palestinians – Amnesty International
Reported by Al Jazeera

Amnesty International has stated that Israel is conducting a form of "live-streamed genocide" in Gaza and is acting unlawfully with the specific objective of eradicating Palestinians.

In its annual report published on Monday, the organization said that Israeli forces in Gaza have violated the UN Genocide Convention. This includes "inflicting serious bodily or mental harm on civilians" and "deliberately inflicting living conditions calculated to bring about their physical destruction."

According to Amnesty, Israel has repeatedly "obstructed humanitarian aid, denied access, and failed to take appropriate measures." Despite warnings from the international community and the International Court of Justice, Israeli forces have launched operations in the southern city of Rafah, with devastating consequences for civilians.

The report further states that Israeli airstrikes have often targeted areas where civilians were following Israeli military instructions to evacuate to so-called safe zones. Additionally, Israeli forces have "arbitrarily detained Palestinians and, in some cases, forcibly disappeared them."

Amnesty Secretary-General Agnès Callamard wrote in the foreword of the report, “Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israeli civilians and took more than 250 hostages, the world has been witnessing a kind of live-streamed genocide.”

She added, “States have stood by helplessly as Israel has killed thousands of Palestinians, wiped out entire families, destroyed homes, livelihoods, hospitals, and schools.”

Israel has consistently denied the genocide allegations, stating that it is exercising its right to self-defense against Hamas and has taken extraordinary measures to protect civilians.

According to the Palestinian Health Authority, more than 51,300 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023, including at least 17,400 children.
In contrast, Israeli authorities have reported that around 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

The Amnesty report also expresses concern over U.S. President Donald Trump's 2025 administration, calling it an “unprecedented threat” to the protection of human rights.

In addition, Amnesty raised serious concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Taliban’s abuse of women in Afghanistan, and the oppression of women in Iran.

The Taliban regime has criminalized women’s public presence, stripping them of work and education rights through the so-called “morality and virtue law.” Many female protesters have been forcibly disappeared or detained.

In Iran, mandatory hijab laws have been further tightened, with violators subjected to flogging, heavy fines, and long prison sentences.