UN Says Israel's Actions Meet Genocide Definition Based On UN Genocide Conventions, Here's Why

JAKARTA - UN Special Reporter Reem Alsalem, for violence against women and girls, called Israel using reproductive violence as a tool of genocide against the Palestinian people.

"This was done by Israel to prevent birth in the Palestinian population and change the demographic composition," he said.

"Against Palestinian women, I believe Israel is committing ... reproductive violence as a tool of genocide with the aim of preventing birth in the Palestinian population and forcibly changing the demographic composition," Alsalem said at a press conference in Geneva, reported by ANTARA, Friday, June 27.

Alalem emphasized that Israel's actions were not just a violation of ordinary law of war, but had complied with the definition of genocide based on the UN Genocide Convention.

"This action is carried out with the intention of destroying, overall or partially, a nation, ethnicity, race, or religion," he added.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israeli territory. In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes and ground operations into the Gaza Strip.

The ceasefire and exchange of hostages took place from January 19. However, on March 18, Israel resumed the attack, arguing Hamas rejected US plans regarding the release of hostages and an extension of the ceasefire which ended on March 1.

Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 56,000 Palestinians and injured 132,000 others.