Publish: 10:44, 05 Dec, 2024

Amnesty accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza

Online Desk
Amnesty accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza
Photo: AP

Amnesty International on Thursday accused Israel of "committing genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza since the start of the war last year, saying its new report was a "wake-up call" for the international community.

The London-based rights organisation said its findings were based on "dehumanising and genocidal statements by Israeli government and military officials", satellite images documenting devastation, fieldwork and ground reports from Gazans.

"Month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its intent to physically destroy them," Amnesty chief Agnes Callamard said in a statement.

"Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now," she added.

The Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack inside southern Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a deadly Israeli military offensive on Gaza as Israeli officials vowed to crush the militant group.

A total of 1,208 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, were killed during the Hamas attack, according to an AFP tally based on official data.

Since then at least 44,532 people have been killed in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, deemed reliable by the UN.

"There is absolutely no doubt that Israel has military objectives. But the existence of military objectives does not negate the possibility of a genocidal intent," Callamard told AFP at a press conference in The Hague.

She said the organisation had based its findings on the criteria set out in the UN Convention on the Prevention of Genocide.

Israel has repeatedly and forcefully denied allegations of genocide, accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

But Amnesty's 300-page report points to "direct deliberate attacks on civilian and civilian infrastructures where there was no Hamas presence or any other military objectives, the use of heavy explosive weapons with a wide radius of destruction in densely populated residential areas," the blocking of aid deliveries, and the displacement of 90 percent of Gaza's 2.4 million people.

Erasure

In the days after the October 7 attack, Israel imposed a "total siege" on Gaza, with the slogan: "No electricity, no water, no gas". Limited supplies have been allowed in since then.

Palestinians have been subjected to "malnutrition, hunger and diseases" and exposed to a "slow, calculated death", Amnesty said.

The rights group, which is also due to publish a report on the crimes committed by Hamas, cited 15 air strikes in Gaza between October 7, 2023 and April 20, which killed 334 civilians, including 141 children, for which the group found "no evidence that any of these strikes were directed at a military objective".

The Amnesty report also referenced dozens of calls by Israeli officials and soldiers for the annihilation, destruction, burning or "erasure" of Gaza.

Such statements highlighted "not only systemic impunity but also the creation of an environment that emboldens...such behaviour."

"Governments must stop pretending that they are powerless to terminate Israel's occupation, to end apartheid and to stop the genocide in Gaza," said Callamard.

"States that transfer arms to Israel violate their obligations to prevent genocide under the convention and are at risk of becoming complicit," she added. AFP

Bd-Pratidin English/ARK

More News
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Israel kills female Palestinian journalist
Israel kills female Palestinian journalist
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Australia's PM demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW
Australia's PM demands Russia explain what happened to Australian POW
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Latest News
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
1 hour ago | Sports
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
2 hours ago | International
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
3 hours ago | National
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
3 hours ago | Business
Land ministry’s updated server launched
Land ministry’s updated server launched
3 hours ago | National
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
3 hours ago | Business
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
3 hours ago | International
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
4 hours ago | National
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
4 hours ago | National
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
4 hours ago | National
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
5 hours ago | National
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
5 hours ago | National
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
5 hours ago | City
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
6 hours ago | National
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
6 hours ago | National
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
6 hours ago | City
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
6 hours ago | Business
Another cold wave approaches
Another cold wave approaches
6 hours ago | National
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
7 hours ago | Business
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
7 hours ago | National
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
7 hours ago | International
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
7 hours ago | International
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
8 hours ago | National
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
8 hours ago | National
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
8 hours ago | National
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
8 hours ago | National
Election pressure mounts
Election pressure mounts
8 hours ago | Special
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
8 hours ago | International
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
8 hours ago | International
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
8 hours ago | National
Most Read
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
11 hours ago | Entertainment
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
14 hours ago | International
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
13 hours ago | Business
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
10 hours ago | Sports
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
14 hours ago | National
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
12 hours ago | National
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
8 hours ago | National
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
11 hours ago | Special
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
11 hours ago | National
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
13 hours ago | Entertainment
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
13 hours ago | International
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
7 hours ago | Business
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
6 hours ago | National
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
13 hours ago | National
100 reserved seats proposed for women
100 reserved seats proposed for women
10 hours ago | Special
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
13 hours ago | International
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
8 hours ago | National
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
13 hours ago | National
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
11 hours ago | Sports
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
11 hours ago | National
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
11 hours ago | National
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
13 hours ago | Sports
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
12 hours ago | Tech
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
14 hours ago | International
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
11 hours ago | Tech
Market not coming under control
Market not coming under control
11 hours ago | Special
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
11 hours ago | International
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
10 hours ago | National
First shipment of 2,450 tonnes of rice from India arrives
First shipment of 2,450 tonnes of rice from India arrives
13 hours ago | Business
Government pledges to recover stolen money: CA press wing
Government pledges to recover stolen money: CA press wing
12 hours ago | National