Pope calls for investigation of Gaza 'genocide' allegations

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Pope Francis has called for an investigation into the allegations of 'some experts' about 'genocide' taking place in Gaza.

In a new book, Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World, Pope Francis has for the first time, suggested that Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip could be characterised as a genocide. In extracts published yesterday in La Stampa daily, the Pope writes:

"According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide.. This should be studied carefully to determine whether (the situation) corresponds to the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organisations."

A recent UN committee report has said Israel's actions were "consistent with characteristics of genocide".

The report accuses Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and policies and practices in Gaza that may amount to a "possibility of genocide."

It highlights the difficult conditions facing Gaza's 2.3 million residents, particularly in terms of restricted access to food, water, medical care and shelter.

The report accuses Israel of "discriminatory" legislation and measures that maintained a near-complete separation of Palestinians from Israeli settlers, in breach of article 3 on racial segregation and apartheid under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Israel's violations of UN Security Council resolutions and orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) are weakening the international rules-based order, the report states.

Read the report here: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n24/271/19/pdf/n2427119.pdf