1.9 million people have been internally displaced as Israeli forces continue to destroy high-rise residential buildings. Evacuation directives from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) designate entire districts as active combat zones. Israel persists in its ceasefire violations and pushes the demarcation line for Israeli control ever westward.

Israel’s campaign began after October 7, 2023, in response to Hamas’ genocidal attacks on Israeli civilians, which killed over 1200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 Israeli hostages.

Israel continues to commit acts that constitute genocide: killing Palestinians; bombing hospitals to inflict conditions of life intended to destroy part of the Palestinian people; causing severe bodily and mental harm with bombing throughout Gaza and severe mistreatment in detention, including rape and torture; and imposing measures to prevent births through attacks on maternity centres in hospitals and destruction of Gaza’s largest fertility clinic.

The Israeli Military Campaign has killed of over 73,000 Gazans, 80% civilians, and wounded over 173,000 Gazans through intense combat operations, producing wounds typically seen only among professional soldiers. Israeli snipers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in queues for food, including children shot in the head or back. 

Displaced Gazans face overcrowding and inadequate shelters in tents without proper protection. In conjunction with Israeli bans on international NGOs, many are unable to afford tents or other basic necessities.  

Displaced Palestinians in Southern Gaza are confined to overcrowded areas that lack basic sanitation, forcing families to build makeshift shelters and dig unsanitary latrines behind tents. Civilians are ordered to leave combat zones, many in private cars, causing severe fuel shortages, leaving many Gazans unable to move despite evacuation orders.

Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage exchange plan on October 9, 2025, mediated by the United States. Hamas committed to release all remaining living hostages and the bodies of deceased hostages, and to hand over authority in Gaza. Hamas refuses to yield areas it controls. Israel agreed to free 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and to begin withdrawing forces to a demarcated “yellow line” in Gaza. Israel expanded its area of control.

Israel’s initial withdrawal left over 50% of Gaza under Israeli control, expanding to over 70% of Gaza as of June 2026. Israeli airstrikes have continued. Civilians face deadly sniper fire when they cross unclear boundaries. Recent air strikes have killed whole families, including children. Humanitarian aid is limited by Israeli entry-point restrictions. Gaza continues to be devastated by forced displacement, hunger, and destroyed infrastructure.

Plans have been proposed to rebuild Gaza under President Trump’s “Board of Peace” (BoP), authorized by Security Council Resolution 2803. The BoP pact doesn’t mention Gaza and doesn’t include a Palestinian role in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes “demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction.” 

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s position on the Board of Peace raises deep concerns about bias in the peace and reconstruction process. At the BoP’s inaugural meeting, held in Washington in February 2026, the US pledged $10 billion and other member countries pledged $7 billion for reconstruction. But no pledged money has been collected.

Due to intentional killing of Palestinian civilians, massive destruction of housing and hospitals, officially expressed intent to destroy part of the Palestinian population of Gaza, and official Israeli government denial, Genocide Watch considers Gaza to be at Stage 8: Persecution, Stage 9: Extermination, and Stage 10: Denial.

Genocide Watch recommends:

• The U.N. should deploy an international monitoring mission to ensure Israeli and Hamas compliance with the ceasefire agreement, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and enforcement of international legal prohibitions on expanded Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

• The International Criminal Court should investigate responsibility for genocide and war crimes in Gaza.

• Israel must guarantee full, unfettered humanitarian access for U.N. agencies and NGOs to deliver food, water, medical aid and temporary shelters by lifting all entry-point restrictions.  

• International Stabilization Forces must include Palestinians in rebuilding civil service and infrastructure.

Go to Original – genocidewatch.com