UN: 'Israel is committing genocide in Gaza'

Israel was accused of genocide as thousands of Palestinian families fled Gaza City to escape a relentless aerial assault.

A report by the United Nations claims that the country's actions meet the criteria set down for defining the act and that it is 'clear there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza'.

Almost 65,000 people have lost their lives since Israel began its response to the Hamas atrocities of October 7, 2023 – which killed 1,200 and saw 251 taken hostage.

The UN cited the death toll, which includes tens of thousands of women and children, the collapse in sanitary and healthcare systems, and a famine.

Nine out of ten homes have been destroyed and the vast majority of the three million population have been forced to flee.

The UN panel – comprised of a South African former UN chief, an Australian human rights lawyer and an Indian expert on housing and land rights – reached their conclusion by comparing the country's actions against international law.

Israel's foreign ministry rejected the accusations, claiming the UN's conclusion was based on 'falsehoods'. It came as Israel continued its aerial and ground offensive on Gaza City and ahead of an expected announcement by the UK to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

At least 78 people were feared dead following the latest military attacks, including 20 who were found beneath the rubble of collapsed tower blocks.

Witnesses described 'systematic, unfolding terror', while others reported tanks operating on al-Jalaa street in the centre of the city.

And there were reports the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) targeted a children's hospital in Gaza in a drone attack.

The IDF said the number of soldiers involved in the offensive would rise in the coming days to confront up to 3,000 terrorists it believes are still in the city.

These include child militants aged 14 to 16 who were recently trained, an official said.

Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir told his advancing troops that their mission was to 'intensify the blows against Hamas' in order to 'carry out the most moral and important duty' of destroying the terror group and facilitating the freeing of hostages.

Hundreds of thousands of people remained crammed inside tents after fleeing the urban wasteland of Gaza City.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the offensive 'utterly reckless and appalling', saying it would 'only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians and endanger the remaining hostages'.

Britain is also providing medical treatment to badly wounded Palestinian children airlifted to the UK. Between 30 and 50 patients are understood to have been admitted to UK hospitals.

Meanwhile, the US continues to support Israel. The presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem when the offensive began has been interpreted as the White House giving its backing.

Boasting about the Israeli military's achievements on social media, defence minister Israel Katz said: 'Gaza is burning. We will not relent or turn back until the mission is complete.'

Some 48 hostages are still being held in Gaza by Hamas, of these 20 are presumed to be still alive.

The UK has continued to call for a two-state solution to the longstanding conflict. This end state has been ruled out by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.