Israel has gone well past self-defense and is now conducting a genocide in the Gaza Strip, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Wednesday in a lengthy statement laying out his agreement with a United Nations panel that found the situation met the legal definition of genocide .

The new report by a team of independent experts adds to a growing chorus leveling the accusation against the U.S. ally as it launches an intense new ground offensive in Gaza City.

Israel could be hit with new tariffs and sanctions after the European Union’s governing body proposed the measures on Wednesday as a means to force the Jewish state to end its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, urged the 27 member nations to increase tariffs on some Israeli goods and impose sanctions on Israeli settlers, and two members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet — National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. She also proposed sanctioning 10 Hamas leaders.

Israel pulled its settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005 but maintained control of its borders, coasts, and airspace.

BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams looks at parallels between reactions to Israel and apartheid-era South Africa.

Israel's defense minister says "Gaza is burning" after heavy strikes targeted Gaza City. The remarks come as Israel has been planning a new offensive. U.S.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 64,871 people and wounded 164,610 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be under the rubble. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, and about 200 were taken captive.