The international community must bring the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza to an end, secure the release of hostages and end occupation. Business also has an immediate responsibility to ensure it is not complicit and contributing to what UN experts have identified as “unfolding genocide” in Gaza or exacerbating human suffering across the region.
Business and human rights in conflict-affected areas
After decades of occupation by Israel, the civilian population of Gaza faces what UN experts have identified as an unfolding genocide, with mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions imposed on Palestinians since October 2023. These have escalated since the end of a ceasefire in March 2025, “effectively trapping [Gaza’s] population in misery, hunger, and disease”. Amnesty International concluded that Israel had committed genocide during its war on Gaza, while Human Rights Watch has concluded that "genocidal acts" have been committed.
States have the responsibility to end Israel’s violence against the Palestinian population and bring the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza to an end. Business also has an obligation to ensure it is not complicit and contributing to the unfolding genocide there or exacerbating human suffering across the region.
For business and investors, the international standards for business in conflict are clearly defined by the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, supplemented with guidance from the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, as well as the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and UN Development Programme. These demand businesses undertake heightened human rights due diligence regarding their operations and supply chains, proportionate to the scale and severity of the risks to people. Where this is not possible or where a business model that would avoid contribution to "foreseeable harmful effects" on civilians is unfeasible, then responsible exit from the conflict must be considered to abide by international law and business standards.
From economy of occupation to economy of genocide: UNSR report on OPT
In June 2025, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) Francesca Albanese published a report highlighting the role of private entities in Israel's occupation and unfolding genocide in Gaza.
"After October 2023, long-standing systems of control, exploitation and dispossession metamorphosed into economic, technological and political infrastructures mobilized to inflict mass violence and immense destruction...Entities that previously enabled and profited from Palestinian elimination and erasure within the economy of occupation, instead of disengaging are now involved in the economy of genocide."
Following the publication of the report the US administration imposed sanctions on Albanese on June 9 in an unprecedented move towards a UN Special Rapporteur. UN Special Procedures has condemned the sanctions as an attack on human rights and the UN system, reaffirming its support for Albanese’s mandate and commitment to accountability.
The report names 48 corporate actors, including US tech giants Microsoft, Alphabet Inc. – Google’s parent company – and Amazon. The Business and Human Rights Centre has recorded the details of these allegations as part of its monitoring of human rights and business in Israel's war on Gaza. Explore the allegations by company HQ countries and sectors using the visualisation on this page.
"Business and investment leaders must refrain from deluding themselves that international law is someone else’s problem. Companies cannot commit, enable or profit from war crimes. They cannot aid or abet those who do, nor ignore their role in enabling such crimes, without legal risks." – Phil Bloomer and Irene Pietropaoli, Sustainable Views, 3 July 2025
Featured stories
Amnesty International calls for "immediate end to the political economy underpinning Israel’s international crimes"
The briefing names 15 companies identified as contributing to Israel’s unlawful occupation, genocide or other crimes under international law, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Elbit Systems, Hikvision, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), HD Hyundai, Palantir Technologies and Israeli state-owned water company Mekorot.
Microsoft terminates Israeli military's access to technology used to operate mass surveillance system in Gaza and the West Bank
Microsoft reportedly told Israeli officials that Unit 8200 had violated the company’s terms of service by storing vast amounts of surveillance data in its Azure cloud platform. The move follows significant pressure from workers who protested against the company's supply of technology to Israel.
Israel/OPT: UN updates database of businesses involved in illegal Israeli settlements
The UN Human Rights Office issued an update to its database of businesses involved in certain activities in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, listing a total of 158 business enterprises from 11 countries.
Oxfam report shows companies & states are economically sustaining illegal occupation & settlements
Oxfam International and 80+ organisations' report reveals foreign states and companies are complicit in maintaining Israel’s prolonged occupation and systematic violations of Palestinian rights by engaging economically with settlements that are in occupied territory and are illegal under international law.
Norwegian sovereign wealth fund sells Caterpillar stake over Israel allegations
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund divested from Caterpillar over allegations its products were used by Israel to “commit extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law” by destroying Palestinian property, marking the first time the fund has sold out of a non-Israeli company because of role in Palestinian territories.
Israel / OPT: Privatised food delivery in Gaza and violations of International Humanitarian Law
BIICL analyses the role of private, for-profit aid organisation Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its private contractors in Gaza amid killings of 1,000+ civilians at and near food distribution sites.
Israel/OPT: Google and Amazon agreed to 'stringent and unorthodox controls' in Project Nimbus contract with Israeli govt., sidestepping legal orders
Google and Amazon reportedly agreed to Israeli government demand to use a “winking mechanism” to notify it when the companies have disclosed Israeli data to foreign courts or investigators.
Israel/OPT: Clock Tower X allegedly hired by Israeli government to create 'pro-Israel' content
Clock Tower X was allegedly contracted to build new websites designed to influence how artificial intelligence systems, including ChatGPT, frame issues by training them on large datasets, boosting pro-Israel narratives. We invited OpenAI, Market Brew, TikTok, Alphabet, Meta, and HAVAS Media Network to respond.
Experts call on arms manufacturers and investors to end the transfer of arms to Israel while media & civil society allege companies' involvement in the war on Gaza
Following the call from UN Experts to end the sale of arms to Israel, we asked 15 companies and 21 investors about their heightened human rights due diligence and measures taken to end the sale of arms.
Switched off: Tech company opacity and Israel's war on Gaza
We invited 104 technology companies operating in or providing services to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel to respond to a survey on transparency and heightened human rights due diligence in the context of Israel's war on Gaza.
Guidance: Responsible business conduct in challenging contexts
Heightened human rights due diligence for business in conflict-affected contexts
Guidance from UNDP and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Conducting business during armed conflict
What is International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and how do companies comply with their obligations? Guidance from Business and Human Rights Compliance
Additional guidance
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