Overview

• The OHCHR Staff Committee sent the appeal on behalf of more than 500 employees, representing roughly a quarter of the agency’s global workforce.
• The letter asserts the legal threshold for genocide has been met based on UN reporting and rights investigations, while Israel rejects the accusation as baseless self‑defence after October 7 and did not immediately comment on the appeal.
• OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani confirmed ongoing internal discussions, and High Commissioner Volker Turk acknowledged the concerns in a reply urging staff unity.
• The United Nations has not used the term genocide and has said such determinations rest with courts, with South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel still pending on the merits.
• Gaza authorities report nearly 63,000 deaths and localized famine, and the World Food Programme says slightly higher aid deliveries remain far from sufficient to prevent starvation.