Israel continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza “relentlessly” despite the ceasefire, according to a summary report issued by Amnesty International on Thursday. The report stated that “Israeli authorities continue to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip by deliberately subjecting them to living conditions intended to destroy them physically, without showing any indication of changing their intent, even though more than a month has passed since the ceasefire was declared and all living Israeli hostages were released.”

Amnesty International, in the report, the full version of which Hespress reviewed, presented a legal analysis of the ongoing genocide, along with “testimonies from residents, medical staff and humanitarian workers highlighting the dire conditions currently being experienced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

In the same context, Agnes Callamard, the Secretary-General of the international human rights organization, warned that “the ceasefire carries the risk of creating the illusion that life in the Gaza Strip is returning to normal, but despite the Israeli authorities and their forces reducing the scope of their attacks and allowing limited quantities of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the world should not be deceived,” adding: “The genocide being committed by Israel has not stopped yet.”

Amnesty International’s December 2024 report included a detailed study concluding that “Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.” It argued that “the occupation has committed three acts prohibited under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, with the specific intent of destroying the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” It further explained: “These acts include killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, inflicting physical or psychological harm on them, and deliberately subjecting them to living conditions intended to bring about their physical destruction.”

“Today, despite the reduction in the scope of attacks and some limited improvements,” the same source adds, “the conditions imposed by Israel on the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have not changed fundamentally, and there is no evidence of a change in Israel’s intentions.”

“No serious measures”

Callamard added: “Israel has inflicted devastating harm on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip through genocide, including two years of relentless bombardment and deliberate, systematic starvation. To date, there is no indication that it is taking serious steps to address the deadly consequences of its crimes, nor is there any evidence that its intent has changed. On the contrary, the Israeli authorities continue their brutal policies by restricting access to vital humanitarian aid and basic services and deliberately subjecting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to living conditions designed to physically destroy them.”

The same source added that at least 374 people, including 136 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was declared on October 9. The Hebrew state continues to “restrict access to vital aid and relief supplies, including medical supplies and equipment necessary to repair infrastructure essential for sustaining life. This constitutes a violation of several orders issued by the International Court of Justice demanding that Israel ensure Palestinians receive humanitarian supplies, within the framework of the case brought by South Africa to prevent the genocide being committed by Israel.” The source continued that the International Court of Justice found in January 2024 that the rights of Palestinians guaranteed under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, particularly their right to life, are “reasonably at risk.”

The objective possibility remains that current conditions will lead to the devastation of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, especially given the population's increased vulnerability to disease outbreaks and epidemics following months of famine caused by years of illegal blockade and months of complete siege earlier this year. This has created conditions that could lead to the slow death of Palestinians due to deprivation of adequate food, water, shelter, clothing, and sanitation facilities and services, according to the same organization.

“Limited improvements”

Despite some very limited improvements, Israel continues to “impose severe restrictions on the entry of supplies and the restoration of services necessary for the survival of the civilian population,” according to the report, which listed these restrictions as: “preventing the entry of equipment and materials necessary for repairing infrastructure essential for sustaining life, and those required for removing war debris and contaminated rubble and treating sewage. All of these factors pose serious risks to public health and the environment, the effects of which may be irreversible. Israel also imposes restrictions on the distribution of aid, including limiting the organizations permitted to deliver relief aid within the Gaza Strip.”

Amnesty International’s report on the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories stated: “Simply increasing the number of trucks entering the Gaza Strip is not enough. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, while families are now eating two meals a day (compared to one a day in July), dietary diversity remains limited. Access to nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, and protein sources remains out of reach for many families, while some food items such as eggs and meat are scarce or prohibitively expensive.”

The document further noted the “continued systematic displacement of Palestinians from fertile lands without interruption, with the Israeli army currently deployed in 58% of the Gaza Strip. Israel has not hesitated to severely restrict Palestinian access to the sea, and has not taken any measures to address the impact of the widespread destruction it has inflicted on agricultural lands and livestock over the past two years. These factors combined mean that Palestinians are effectively and completely deprived of independent access to livelihoods and the necessities of life.”

The human rights official added: “Palestinians remain trapped within less than half the area of the Gaza Strip, in areas that are least able to support the basic necessities of life, amid continued restrictions on humanitarian aid. To this day, even after repeated warnings from international bodies, and after the issuance of three legally binding orders and two advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice, and despite the obligations incumbent upon Israel under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, both as an occupying power and as a party to an armed conflict, Israel continues to deliberately refrain from providing essential supplies to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, and does not allow them access to them.”

The organization documented, in general, “the failure of the Israeli authorities to open investigations or prosecute those suspected of involvement in acts of genocide, or to hold accountable those officials who made statements inciting genocide. The ceasefire came as a result of international pressure, including from the United States, and not as a result of any clear change in Israel’s position.”