Edith Hejberg
The group argued the devastation could not be justified as an attempt to dismantle Hamas.
Two of Israel’s most prominent human rights organizations, B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), have accused their own government of committing genocide in Gaza.
This is the first time Israeli groups themselves have made such a claim, marking a major turning point in the country’s internal debate over the war.
B’Tselem’s Blunt Conclusion
In a 79-page report released Monday, B’Tselem said it reached an “unequivocal conclusion” after examining Israel’s military strategy, destruction in Gaza, and statements from senior political and military leaders.
The group argued the devastation could not be justified as an attempt to dismantle Hamas.
PHRI’s Devastating Health Findings
PHRI joined B’Tselem in its accusation, publishing a separate legal and medical review. It alleges Israel has “deliberately and systematically” destroyed Gaza’s health system, creating conditions in which civilians cannot survive.
The group says this is not collateral damage, but a deliberate policy targeting Palestinians as a group.
Fierce Government Rebuttal
The Israeli government strongly rejected the genocide claims. Officials labeled the reports “politically motivated” and “obscene,” insisting the military targets only Hamas and takes extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties.
They also stressed that humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza.
Allegations of Mass Harm
B’Tselem’s report describes widespread destruction, mass killings, forced displacement, and the breakdown of Gaza’s social fabric. It cites statements by Israeli leaders that it interprets as showing genocidal intent, alongside incidents of mass arrests and mistreatment of detainees.
Accusations of International Complicity
The group did not spare the global community from criticism.
It accused Western allies, particularly the US and European states of enabling genocide by providing weapons, political cover, and affirmations of Israel’s right to self-defense, even after the International Court of Justice warned of a “plausible risk” of genocide.
A War Rooted in October 7 Attacks
The Israeli government maintains that its actions are self-defense following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault that killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 251.
But B’Tselem says the war’s conduct has gone far beyond neutralizing Hamas and instead inflicted catastrophic harm on Gaza’s civilian population.
Mounting Domestic and Global Pressure
The genocide accusations come amid growing domestic unrest. Anti-war protests are increasing, university leaders have issued warnings about the humanitarian disaster, and global outrage is rising as images of starving children in Gaza circulate worldwide.
Not the First Genocide Claim—But the Most Personal
International groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and even the UN have previously said Israel’s actions meet the definition of genocide.
South Africa has taken the case to the International Court of Justice, joined by Ireland. But this is the first time such an accusation has come directly from Israeli organizations.
A Debate With No End in Sight
The word “genocide” carries extraordinary weight and political sensitivity. While Israel and its allies reject the charge outright, prominent Israeli scholars have joined international experts in warning that the evidence is mounting.
The ICJ case could take years to resolve, but for now, the accusations have opened an unprecedented, and deeply uncomfortable, chapter in Israel’s own reckoning with the Gaza war.
