The military goal of fighting Hamas does not preclude Israel's U.S.-backed offensive from involving genocidal policies, the watchdog group said Wednesday.

The declaration by one of the world’s most prominent rights organizations is likely to intensify a debate that has raged for months over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Amnesty International on Wednesday said that it had gathered “sufficient evidence to believe” that Israel’s conduct during the war in Gaza amounts to genocide against the Palestinian people.

Amnesty International says a genocide is being committed against Palestinians in Gaza, an accusation Israel rejects

The declaration throws the weight of a major international advocacy group behind a popular claim against Israel amid war with Hamas.

Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing analysis of incidents and official statements. Israel denies the allegations, asserting its right to self-defense against Hamas attacks.

In a new 300-page report, the human rights group joins a growing chorus of legal scholars and activists describing Israel’s assault on Palestinians as genocide.

Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food,

Amnesty International accused the state of Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza war in a report published on Thursday, an allegation Israeli leaders have repeatedly denied. The London-based human rights group said it reached the conclusion after months of analysing incidents and statements of Israeli officials.