France, Sept. 16 -- A United Nations inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, claiming that the country's leadership has incited and overseen a campaign aimed at "destroying the Palestinians"

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry - led by former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay- concluded that "genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur".

Pillay, an 83-year-old South African judge who once presided over the Rwanda tribunal, told reporters: "Genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur ... The responsibility lies with the State of Israel."

The report argues that Israeli authorities and forces have carried out four of the five acts defined in the 1948 Genocide Convention: kill...