Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Genocide Allegations as ‘Greatest Lie’
Benjamin Netanyahu said accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza are completely false.
He called them the “greatest lie of the century.”
He argued that Israel’s military tried hard to protect civilians.
Other groups, including a United Nations commission, have reached the opposite conclusion.
The commission said Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel rejected that report.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel in October 2023 and took hostages.
The article says more than 73,900 people have since been killed in Gaza.
Fighting largely paused after a ceasefire in October 2025, but much of Gaza remained under Israeli military control.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called allegations of genocide in Gaza the “greatest lie of the century” at the United Nations General Assembly.
Netanyahu said Israel had taken extensive measures to protect civilians and cited retired United States Colonel John Spencer’s assessment of Israel’s conduct in war.
The article reports that more than 73,900 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023.
A United Nations commission said in September 2025 that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a finding Israel rejected as “distorted and false.”
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli military, Hamas, and United Nations investigators are central to the dispute.
- What
- Netanyahu rejected allegations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, while a United Nations commission said Israel had done so.
- When
- Netanyahu made the remarks on Thursday at the United Nations General Assembly; the offensive began in October 2023, and the International Criminal Court issued its warrant in November 2024.
- Where
- The allegations concern Gaza and Israel’s military operations there.
- Why
- Netanyahu said Israel had taken steps to protect civilians and was responding to Hamas’s October 2023 attack and hostage-taking.
Israeli Government Position
International Investigators’ Position
Whether genocide occurred
Israeli Government Position
Netanyahu said the allegation is false and described Israel’s actions as the opposite of genocide.
International Investigators’ Position
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry said Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Protection of civilians
Israeli Government Position
Netanyahu said the Israeli military took innumerable steps to protect civilians and cited retired Colonel John Spencer’s assessment of Israel’s conduct.
International Investigators’ Position
The commission said Israeli forces deliberately targeted and killed Palestinian children as part of genocidal acts.
Assessment of international legal responsibility
Israeli Government Position
Israel rejected the United Nations commission’s report as “distorted and false.”
International Investigators’ Position
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza.
- Israeli position
- Netanyahu called the genocide allegations the “greatest lie of the century” and said Israel’s conduct was the opposite of genocide.
- Reported Gaza deaths
- More than 73,900 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the article.
- War trigger
- The Israeli offensive began after Hamas killed 1,200 people during an incursion into southern Israel and took hostages.
- United Nations finding
- A United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry said in September 2025 that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
- Children reported killed
- The commission said Israeli forces killed more than 20,000 children and injured 44,000 since October 2023.
- Ceasefire
- Heavy fighting had largely paused since October 2025 following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
- International Criminal Court
- The court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza.