UN-appointed commission accuses Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied territories
GENEVA — An UN-appointed Independent International Commission of Inquiry reported on Wednesday that Israeli forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity including extermination, persecution, torture and rape and other forms of sexual violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories.
The commission, chaired by Justice Srinivasan Muralidhar, presented its findings to the UN General Assembly, detailing that Israel maintains policies aimed at maximizing occupation of Palestinian territories while minimizing the Palestinian population. The report establishes that these violations continue even after the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire.
Key findings include the 'Yellow Line' in Gaza becoming a de facto border, with nearly 200 Palestinians including women and children killed near it since the ceasefire. Between the ceasefire and September 30, 2026, over 1,431 people were killed in Gaza when Israeli forces used heavy and unguided munitions in densely populated areas.
In the West Bank, the situation has deteriorated significantly since October 7, 2023, with an estimated 254 Palestinians killed in airstrikes over the past three years. Military operations since January 2025 have caused the largest displacement in the West Bank since 1967, with 34,176 Palestinians remaining displaced as of August 2026.
The commission also concluded that Israeli authorities have committed the crime against humanity of persecution against Palestinian children, with attacks deliberately targeting children not just because of their nationality but also due to their age.
The commission is systematically gathering and preserving evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity for future legal proceedings. The findings underscore the commission's determination that Israel's policies and actions constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
