Openai/6942b8fb-d31c-800e-b28a-052e01b3e300

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User: is israel guilty of war crimes in their recent war with palestine?

is israel guilty of war crimes in their recent war with palestine?

Assistant: Legally speaking, "guilty of war crimes" is something only a competent court can finally determine after a full process.

Legally speaking, "guilty of war crimes" is something only a competent court can finally determine after a full process. As of December 17, 2025, there has not been a final criminal verdict on Israel's conduct in Gaza/Palestine.

That said, there is substantial, mainstream legal-and-institutional basis for alleging serious international crimes by multiple parties:

• International Criminal Court (ICC): The ICC has an active investigation related to Palestine, and it has issued arrest warrants (Nov 21, 2024) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity (and also warrants targeting Hamas leadership). Reuters The ICC rejected (Dec 15, 2025) an Israeli attempt to halt part of that Gaza-war investigation, keeping the post-Oct 7, 2023 events within scope and leaving those warrants in place. Reuters What that means: not "convicted," but the Court has found there are reasonable grounds at the warrant stage, and the case remains live.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ): South Africa's case against Israel under the Genocide Convention is ongoing. The ICJ has issued provisional measures orders (Jan 26, Mar 28, May 24, 2024) requiring Israel to take steps to prevent genocidal acts and enable humanitarian assistance, among other obligations. United Nations What that means: the ICJ has not ruled "genocide happened" at this stage; provisional measures are not a final merits judgment.
• UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry: The Commission has issued reports alleging war crimes (and, in later reporting/press materials, alleging genocide). United Nations What that means: these are significant UN-appointed investigative findings, but they are not criminal convictions.
• Major human-rights NGOs: Organizations like Human Rights Watch have repeatedly alleged Israeli conduct in Gaza involves war crimes and/or crimes against humanity, including specific allegations about forced displacement and deprivation of essentials. Human Rights Watch
• Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups: There is also extensive documentation and institutional allegation of serious crimes on that side, including hostage-taking and attacks on civilians; e.g., Amnesty International (Dec 11, 2025) concluded Hamas' Oct 7 attacks and hostage treatment amounted to crimes against humanity. Reuters

So the most reality-grounded answer is:

Israel has not been finally adjudicated "guilty" by a completed criminal trial, but multiple major legal bodies and investigative organizations have found sufficient basis to allege war crimes (and other serious crimes), to the point that the ICC has issued warrants against top Israeli leaders and continues to investigate. Reuters

If you want, tell me what you mean by "recent war" (Gaza since Oct 7, 2023, West Bank operations in 2024-2025, or both), and I can summarize the specific alleged war-crime categories (distinction, proportionality, starvation/siege, attacks on protected sites, forced displacement, detainee abuse, etc.) and who is making which allegation.

Recent, reputable reporting and primary sourcesReutersICC rejects Israeli bid to halt Gaza war investigation2 days agoReutersAmnesty says Hamas attacks and Gaza hostage treatment amount to crimes against humanity6 days agoAP NewsA winter storm chills Gaza and floods tent camps, exposing aid failures6 days agoReutersICC rejects Israeli bid to halt Gaza war investigation2 days ago