- UN reports accuse Israel and Palestinian groups of war crimes
- Israel accused of “crimes against humanity” in Gaza
- Both sides committed indiscriminate killings and sexual violence
The United Nations-backed commission’s inquiry has determined that Israel and Palestinian groups have committed war crimes in the vicious war in Gaza. Additionally, the commission has accused Israel of “crimes against humanity.
The independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) published twin reports on Wednesday which constitute the United Nations’ first comprehensive examination of the events since October 7. These reports pertain to the actions of Palestinian and Israeli groups. Indiscriminate murders and sexual violence are being levelled at both parties.
In the report against Israel, the term “crimes against humanity” is typically reserved for the most severe international crimes that are knowingly conducted as part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians.
The Israeli government promptly condemned the findings, which were based on submissions, satellite imagery, medical reports, and verified open-source information, as well as interviews with victims and witnesses. This action further exacerbated the animosity between the Israeli government and international organizations.
The UN Human Rights Council established the commission in 2021. The reports will be presented to the council next week. They encompass the time frame from the Palestinian organizations’ attack on southern Israel on October 7 to the conclusion of 2023.
“Extermination”
The report on Israel’s actions alleges that it committed acts such as forced starvation, homicide or wilful killing, collective punishment, and intentional attacks on civilians. It acknowledges that the Israeli military has conducted “a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population in Gaza.
“The strategy undertaken to cause maximum damage, disregarding the principles of distinction, proportionality, and adequate precautions, resulted in the inevitable result of the immense numbers of civilian casualties in Gaza and the widespread destruction of civilian objects and infrastructure,” a COI statement states.
“The crimes against humanity of extermination, murder, gender persecution targeting Palestinian men and boys, forcible transfer, and torture and inhuman and cruel treatment were committed,” it states.
The frequency, prevalence, and severity of sexual and gender-based offences against Palestinians by Israeli security forces during the period were indicative of the fact that certain forms of violence are “part of ISF operating procedures,” the report continues.
The Gaza War has resulted in the deaths of over 37,000 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 85,000 others, as indicated by the Ministry of Health in the enclave.
‘Sexual violence and deliberate killings’
After the October 7 attack, in which Palestinian groups killed approximately 1,140 individuals and abducted approximately 240 others to Gaza, Israel initiated its conflict in Gaza. According to Israel, there are 116 detainees in Gaza, 41 of whom are believed to have died.
According to the report on the actions of Palestinian groups, the military branches of Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups engaged in deliberate killings, mistreatment of civilians, hostage-taking, and sexual and gender-based violence during the attack. Civilians and members of the Israeli security forces were victims, it is noted.
The report asserts that these actions are violations and infractions of international humanitarian and human rights law, as well as war crimes.
It asserts that “women were subjected to gender-based violence during their execution or abduction.” Nevertheless, it stipulates that allegations of rape were unable to be independently verified. Hamas has consistently denied allegations that its fighters engaged in sexual violence during the assault.
According to the COI, the targeting of minors for abduction was “particularly egregious.”
The report also observes that the Israeli authorities “failed to protect civilians in southern Israel on almost every front.”
Imperative
COI chair Navi Pillay said, “Israel must cease its military operations and attacks in Gaza immediately.” “Hamas and Palestinian armed groups must immediately cease rocket attacks and release all hostages.” The abduction of hostages is considered a war crime.
“It is essential that all individuals who have committed crimes be held accountable,” he continued.
The report was promptly condemned by Israel, which declined to collaborate with the team of experts. It accused the COI of “systematic anti-Israeli discrimination” and rejected the findings.
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“The CoI has once again demonstrated that its actions are solely motivated by a narrow political agenda that is directed against Israel.” “The Pillay Commission will never render justice to the Israeli victims of Palestinian terrorism,” stated Meirav Eilon Shahar, the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, in response to the reports released today.
Israel has consistently accused international organizations, such as the United Nations, of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel prejudice, a practice that has intensified during its current conflict in Gaza.
It responded with outrage last month when the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants against prominent Israeli and Hamas leaders, alleging war crimes.
