GENEVA — United Nations investigators on Tuesday accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in a bid to “destroy the Palestinians,” accusing Israel’s prime minister and other top officials of incitement.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI), which does not speak on behalf of the world body, found that “genocide is occurring in Gaza,” commission chief Navi Pillay told AFP.

“The responsibility lies with the State of Israel.”

The bombshell report, immediately slammed by Israel, marks the first time a UN-mandated investigative body has concluded the country is committing genocide.

Israel has since the start of the war in Gaza faced genocide accusations from NGOs and independent UN experts.

The UN itself has not labelled the situation in Gaza a genocide, but Pill

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