Israel's warfare methods in Gaza 'consistent with genocide': UN committee

Israel's warfare in the Gaza Strip is consistent with the characteristics of genocide, a United Nations committee has said, accusing the country of "using starvation as a method of war". In a report published on Thursday, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices accused the country of "using starvation as a method of war", resulting in "mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions" for Palestinians. "Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life – food, water, and fuel," it said. Since October 7, 2023, Israel's war in Gaza has killed at least 43,736 Palestinians and wounded 103,370, the enclave's Ministry of Health said on Thursday. The latest UN report reflects that published in March by UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, who concluded that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.