South African jurist Navi Pillay, who previously led a UN commission of inquiry that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her contributions to peace and international law.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Pillay's decades-long efforts to strengthen international justice and hold perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide accountable.

"This year's laureate has significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law," the committee said, highlighting her work in international courts and as UN high commissioner for human rights.

Born under apartheid

Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin in Durban, South Africa, under apartheid, Pillay began her legal career challenging racial discrimination and defending opponents of the apartheid system.

She later served as a judge on South Africa's High Court, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, before becoming UN high commissioner for human rights.

The Nobel committee highlighted her contribution to landmark rulings establishing that rape and sexual violence could constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay has also served as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice in the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar over allegations of genocide against the Rohingya minority.

UN investigation into Gaza

Pillay chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory from July 2021 until her departure in 2025.

Presenting the commission's findings to a UN General Assembly committee in October 2025, she said its legal analysis had established Israel's responsibility for genocide in Gaza.

"We concluded that the State of Israel is responsible for the commission of four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza, as such," she said.

"The Commission also found that the Israeli President, Prime Minister and former Defence Minister have incited the commission of genocide," she added.

'Importance of legal institutions'

The Nobel committee said Pillay's career demonstrated the importance of international legal institutions in preventing conflict and securing accountability.

"In awarding this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wants to remind the world that the rule of law -- national and international -- underpins the system we have set up to ensure peace and resolve conflicts non-violently. Peace requires justice," it said.