Israel’s intent for genocide 'on public record', says former UN official

After resigning from his position as director in the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Craig Mokhiber told Al Jazeera in an interview on Thursday that the intention for Israeli officials to commit genocide against Palestinians through its military campaign in Gaza has been clearly and explicitly stated.

"Usually the most difficult part of proving genocide is intent because there has to be an intention to destroy in whole, or in part, a particular group," Mokhiber said.

"In this case, the intent by Israeli leaders has been so explicitly stated and publicly stated – by the prime minister, by the president, by senior cabinet ministers, by military leaders – that that is an easy case to make. It’s on the public record."

Mokhiber stepped down from his post this week, citing the UN's response to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has killed nearly 9,000 Palestinians, including more than 3,000 children.