In a ground-breaking report released on September 16, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

Chaired by former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, the Commission spent two years meticulously collecting and verifying evidence, documenting over 60,000 Palestinian deaths — including 18,000 children — and the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and Gaza’s largest fertility clinic.

In this exclusive interview with Muneef Khan, Ms. Pillay discusses the Commission’s findings, the legal and moral obligations of the international community, the risks posed by high-profile diplomatic initiatives, and the urgent steps states must take to prevent further atrocities and ensure accountability.

By concluding that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, your report has set one of the highest possible legal thresholds. What should the international community take from this finding, and what are its immediate implications?

Thank you for acknowledging the importance of the report. It took us two years of collecting, verifying, and checking evidence before reaching these conclusions. First, the international community need not wait for a report from a UN body like the Commission, nor for a ruling on genocide by an international court, such as the ICJ.