UN Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza as Netanyahu Aide Sees Real Estate Bonanza
To say that the situation in war-torn Gaza is alarming would be a gross understatement. But here’s something that should get the entire international community both worried and enraged. A United Nations commission of inquiry has now said that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Its report states there are reasonable grounds to conclude that 4 of the 5 genocidal acts defined under international law—specifically, the 1948 Genocide Convention—have been carried out since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. These acts include killing members of a group, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, and preventing births.
As if reports of genocide and allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza were not bad enough, Israel is adding insult to injury. Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has now said that the Gaza Strip is a potential real estate “bonanza,” and that he is in talks with the United States on how to divide up the coastal enclave after the war. Smotrich has once again made clear his desire to transform the enclave into Israeli territory.
The UN report, which is based on extensive investigations and testimonies, highlights the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The report states that the Israeli military has systematically targeted civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and residential areas. The deliberate destruction of essential services has left the population in a state of severe distress, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
The international community has been quick to respond to the UN’s findings. The United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza. Several countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have condemned Israel’s actions and called for an independent investigation into the allegations of genocide and war crimes.
However, the U.S. administration has been more cautious in its response. While it has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, it has not explicitly supported the UN’s findings. The U.S. has called for both Israel and Hamas to respect international law and protect civilians, but it has also reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
The situation in Gaza has also sparked widespread protests around the world. Activists and human rights organizations have organized demonstrations in major cities, demanding an end to the conflict and justice for the victims. The calls for action have been amplified by social media, where hashtags like GazaUnderAttack and StopGenocide have trended globally.
Bezalel Smotrich’s comments about the potential real estate bonanza in Gaza have further inflamed tensions. Smotrich, a prominent figure in the far-right government, has long been known for his hardline stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His statements have been widely criticized by human rights organizations and international leaders, who argue that such rhetoric is not only insensitive but also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The UN’s findings and Smotrich’s statements have raised serious questions about the future of the Gaza Strip. The international community is now grappling with the challenge of finding a lasting solution to the conflict that ensures the protection of human rights and the dignity of all parties involved. The situation in Gaza remains dire, and the need for a comprehensive and just resolution has never been more urgent.
