UN investigators accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza

Independent UN investigators have accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, stating that the ongoing actions aim to "destroy the Palestinians."

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials for incitement.

Commission chief Navi Pillay asserted that genocide is currently taking place in Gaza and that the State of Israel bears responsibility.

Israel has vehemently rejected the report, calling it "distorted and false" and demanding the immediate dissolution of the COI.

The offensive began the same day that the UN Human Rights Council commissioned experts accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Israel declared that "Gaza is burning" as the Israeli military began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City on Tuesday, 16 September.

Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X that the IDF strikes "with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas."

Palestinians reported the heaviest bombardment they had experienced in the two years of war, with hospitals reporting at least 69 deaths on Tuesday morning.