Amnesty International has accused Israel of conducting a "live-streamed genocide" in Gaza, asserting that the country is committing unlawful acts aimed at eliminating the Palestinian population. In its annual report released Monday, Amnesty stated that Israeli actions in Gaza breach the UN Genocide Convention, including inflicting serious physical and psychological harm on civilians and imposing living conditions intended to cause their destruction.
The report highlights that Israel has consistently blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza and proceeded with an assault on Rafah, despite warnings from the global community and the International Court of Justice about its catastrophic impact on civilians. Amnesty also noted that Israeli airstrikes frequently target civilians who comply with evacuation directives, and that Israeli forces have continued arbitrary arrests and, in some instances, forced disappearances of Palestinians.
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty's secretary-general, described the situation as a genocide broadcast to the world since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken. In response, Callamard said, Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, obliterated homes and critical infrastructure, and devastated families—all under the apparent indifference of the international community.
Callamard also criticized Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, for acting as if international laws do not apply to them. Israel has rejected the genocide allegations, claiming its military actions are in self-defense against Hamas and that it strives to minimize civilian casualties.
According to Palestinian health officials, more than 51,300 people in Gaza, including at least 17,400 children, have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023.
Amnesty’s report also flagged growing threats to global human rights, including actions by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Callamard condemned what she called a series of attacks during Trump’s first 100 days in 2025 on international law, the United Nations, and efforts to address poverty and systemic discrimination.
The report further raised concerns about human rights abuses by Russia in Ukraine and the suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan and Iran. Amnesty highlighted that the Taliban criminalized women's public presence and denied them work and education, while in Iran, harsher veiling laws led to brutal penalties and impunity for those enforcing them.
