Israel has firmly dismissed Amnesty International’s claims that it is committing genocide in Gaza, branding the allegations as “fake news” and accusing the human rights organisation of perpetuating bias against the state.
David Mencer, a spokesperson for the Israeli government, told Sky News that Amnesty’s report was “no surprise” and characterised it as an example of the group’s “raison d’être to criticise Israel.” He further labelled the allegations as a “classic example of antisemitism” and “Holocaust inversion.”
Amnesty International released the report accusing Israel of deliberately targeting Palestinians through deadly attacks, demolishing essential infrastructure, and blocking humanitarian aid, including food and medicine. The organisation argued that these actions meet the legal threshold for genocide under international law.
Amnesty’s Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, urged the global community to take the findings as a “wake-up call,” describing the alleged atrocities as unjustifiable, even in response to last year’s Hamas attack, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and saw around 250 taken hostage.
Devastation in gaza
The ongoing conflict has left Gaza in ruins, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 44,500 Palestinian deaths, half of whom are women and children. Thousands more face starvation as aid deliveries remain restricted.
Israel asserts that its military operations are focused on dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure while minimising civilian casualties. It has repeatedly instructed civilians in northern Gaza to relocate to the south, claiming this is necessary to prevent them from being used as human shields by Hamas.
Mr Mencer defended these measures, stating, “We are the only people actively trying to get ordinary Gazans out of harm’s way.” He accused Amnesty and other critics of ignoring Hamas’s “genocidal rhetoric” and calls for the eradication of Israel.
International reactions
Amnesty International’s accusations have garnered both support and condemnation. South Africa, along with other nations, has echoed the genocide claims, even submitting a 5,000-page dossier to the United Nations’ International Court of Justice in October.
A United Nations committee also recently concluded that Israel’s tactics in Gaza align with the characteristics of genocide. However, the US State Department refuted the claims, maintaining that there is no evidence to support allegations of genocide against Israel.
Responding to South Africa’s accusations, Mr Mencer alleged that the country’s position was influenced by financial backing from Iran. He reiterated that Israel’s actions are aimed at neutralising Hamas’s military capabilities and securing the release of hostages.
Internal criticism
The Israeli government’s approach has faced scrutiny even from within its own ranks. Former Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon criticised the military strategy in northern Gaza, describing it as “conquering, annexing, [and] ethnic cleansing.”
Mr Mencer rejected these claims, insisting that Israel’s focus remains on safeguarding its citizens while protecting Gaza’s civilian population wherever possible. He attributed the ongoing strikes in northern Gaza to Hamas’s resurgence in the region.
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Despite Israel’s calls for civilians to evacuate to designated “safe zones,” many Gazans have chosen to remain in their homes, citing fears over the safety and adequacy of the humanitarian zones, which have previously been struck during the conflict.
Stalemate in ceasefire efforts
The war in Gaza has now dragged on for 14 months, with no resolution in sight. Efforts to secure a ceasefire have repeatedly failed, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
Qatar, acting as a key mediator, has intensified diplomatic efforts to bring the fighting to an end. Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani recently told Sky News that there is a push to achieve a resolution before the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in January.
“We are trying to coordinate our efforts, and all of us agree that the situation must be resolved before President Trump takes office,” said the Qatari leader.
Looking ahead
The allegations of genocide and Israel’s rebuttals underline the deep divisions surrounding the Gaza conflict. While international bodies like Amnesty International and the United Nations escalate their calls for accountability, Israel maintains that its actions are lawful and necessary to combat the ongoing threat posed by Hamas.
As diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount, leaving both the region and the world searching for a path toward peace.
