GAZA: IT'S GENOCIDE

Israel rejects UN-ordered report as Higgins calls for exclusion

- BY SIMON MURPHY

ISRAEL is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a UN-commissioned inquiry has declared.

The independent probe found four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been committed.

It comes as Israel launched an all-out offensive on Gaza City, killing dozens. Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "Gaza is burning."

According to the report, commissioned by the UN's Human Rights Council, Israel has been killing members of a group; causing serious bodily and mental harm to the group; inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group; and preventing births.

It added: "Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have incited the commission of genocide. Statements made by Israeli authorities are direct evidence of genocidal intent.