In a statement, the official criticized the government of Benjamin Netanyahu for leaving behind the greatest devastation that “we have seen since the Second World War” (1939-1945). The destruction of the Strip is unprecedented in its scope, brutality, and enormous impact on the population, he stressed.

According to Rajagopal, the Israeli army destroyed 80 percent of the homes in the territory since the start of its war campaign in October 2023.

“The priority now is to provide humanitarian assistance so people can live,” said the rapporteur. He also called for the reconstruction of Gaza to be launched, which according to various sources could last for years and cost billions of dollars. “What happened in Gaza is a real genocide because it creates conditions that make life impossible and make Gaza uninhabitable,” he said.

Rajagopal also warned that the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel “does not mean that the genocide has stopped.” “The genocide will continue as long as Gaza is uninhabitable for its people and as long as there are conditions that could lead to the total or partial elimination of the Palestinian people,” he stressed.

jrr/llp/npg/rob