United Nations Human Rights Council
60th Regular Session
General Debate
Item 2
International Commission of Jurists in the General Debate under Item 2
10 September 2025
Mr President,
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemns Israel’s continued, ruthless military operations in Gaza, causing irreparable harm to the Palestinian civilian population of Gaza and threatening its existence as a group. Through its mass killings and forcible transfers of civilians, its extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, its weaponization of humanitarian aid and its use of starvation as a method of warfare, Israel has been inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza, according to the OHCHR’s own terms, “conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group in Gaza”. Taken together, all of this is strong evidence in support of the conclusion that Israel is engaging in genocide, a question under adjudication by the International Court of justice.
With the plan to “take over” the entire Gaza Strip and to empty it from its entire population under the guise of “voluntary” relocation, the goal is clear: leaving no choice to the civilian population but to either be expelled or die. This ethnic cleansing policy appears to constitute evidence of the intent to destroy, at least in part, the Palestinian population of Gaza.
Along with Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the take over plan violates the integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the right of the Palestinians to self-determination.
The ICJ calls on all States to act to stop and prevent Israel’s criminal conduct. The ICJ reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
Thank you.
Statement delivered by: Paula Casas – International Commission of Jurists
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