“We conclude that the State of Israel is responsible for the commission of four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza, as such,” he said.
“The Commission also concluded that the Israeli President, Prime Minister and former Defense Minister have incited the genocide commission.”
Pillay, a former UN human rights chief, described the situation in Gaza as “the most ruthless, prolonged and widespread attack against the Palestinian people in history.”
The devastation cannot be undone
He said that while the fragile ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners “offer hope, they cannot undo the devastation that has already occurred,” adding that “the Gaza Strip is in ruins, almost uninhabitable.”
He added that Israeli officials had “publicly supported plans for the deportation of the population, the construction of settlements and the annexation of territory.”
Although the ceasefire has put those policies on hold, “recent statements by Israeli officials make clear that these objectives remain firmly in place.”
This was Ms Pillay’s last report to the General Assembly, having led the independent international investigative body since July 2021.
Occupied West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Commission concluded that Israeli policies since October 2023 – along with explicit and implicit support for violent settlers – “demonstrate a clear intention to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand the Israeli Jewish civilian presence, and annex most of the West Bank.”
The purpose, Pillay said, is to “prevent any possible Palestinian self-determination and statehood and maintain an indefinite occupation.”
Ensure accountability
It urged Member States to ensure justice and accountability by “supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigations” and using universal jurisdiction to prosecute suspects, including those with dual nationality.
“It pains me that, in my last appearance as chair of this commission, the post-World War II multilateral system failed to prevent this genocide,” she said. “The international system has been found to be deficient.”
He concluded by calling for “truth and reconciliation” and added that “only through transitional justice can peace eventually take root and flourish.”
Call for a permanent ceasefire
Francesca Albanese, the independent Special Rapporteur appointed by the UN Human Rights Council on the Palestinian territories, also briefed the General Assembly committee and stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
He urged Member States to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied territories and the dismantling of Israeli settlements.
Additionally, they must suspend all military, commercial and diplomatic ties with Israel “until it ends and remedies its genocide, illegal occupation and apartheid,” he said, also calling for investigations and, where justified, prosecution of those involved in alleged crimes.
“This is how we begin to honor the memory of those murdered. And if the Security Council is paralyzed, this Assembly must act under the motto “Unite for peace” with greater determination than ever,” he added.
Special rapporteurs and other human rights experts appointed under the special procedures mandate of the Human Rights Council are not UN staff and are independent of any government or organization. They do not receive a salary for their work.