In an unprecedented move, two of Israel’s leading human rights organizations — B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) — have accused the Israeli government of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza during the ongoing conflict that began in October 2023.
At a joint press conference held in occupied East Jerusalem, both organizations presented extensive reports documenting what they describe as coordinated state policy aimed at the systematic destruction of Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip.
B’Tselem’s 88-page report declares:
“An examination of Israel’s policy in the Gaza Strip and its horrific outcomes, together with statements by senior Israeli politicians and military commanders, leads us to the unequivocal conclusion that Israel is intentionally destroying Palestinian society in Gaza.”
PHRI’s 65-page analysis focused on health infrastructure, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting medical facilities, obstructing aid, and killing healthcare workers, actions they say fulfill at least three criteria under Article II of the 1948 Genocide Convention, which Israel ratified.
“The dismantling of Gaza’s health systems was not incidental—it was deliberate and calculated,” said Dr. Guy Shalev, executive director of PHRI. “Remaining silent in the face of genocide is not an option.”
Israel has firmly rejected the accusations.
“Our defense forces target terrorists, not civilians. Hamas is responsible for the suffering in Gaza,” said David Mencer, spokesperson for the Israeli government.
While global human rights entities and UN experts have previously made similar claims, this is the first time prominent Israeli organizations have publicly accused their own government of genocide.
Yuli Novak, executive director of B’Tselem, described the process of compiling the report as emotionally and ethically painful:
“To realize that your own country may be committing genocide… it shatters a fundamental belief about who we are.”
The PHRI and B’Tselem findings also criticized rhetoric from Israeli leaders, which allegedly promoted dehumanization and collective punishment of all Palestinians in Gaza in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7, 2023, that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.
Since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 59,900 Palestinians have been killed, with only 18 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals still partially operational, as per UN reports.
The case is also being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), following South Africa’s petition alleging genocide—a case Israel has labeled as “unfounded” and “politically motivated.”
Both B’Tselem and PHRI expressed fears of retaliation or violence following the release of the reports but stressed the urgency of action from both the international legal system and the global health community.
