Israeli rights groups accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza

Israel's government rejects the allegations in the separate reports by B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.

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B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel released separate reports on Monday based on studies of the past 21 months of conflict.

The organisations, which have been active in Israel for decades, said in a joint statement that "in these dark times it is especially important to call things by their name", while "calling on this crime to stop immediately".

An Israeli government spokesman said it strongly rejected the accusations of genocide, which are the first to be made by human rights groups based in Israel.

"Our defence forces target terrorists and never civilians. Hamas is responsible for the suffering in Gaza," David Mencer said.