New York:Israel has been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, according to a new report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The report, which was presented to the UN General Assembly, highlights serious violations such as extermination, persecution, torture, and sexual violence against Palestinian civilians.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the report emphasizes a significant deterioration in the situation in the West Bank since October 2023, with a dramatic increase in airstrike-related deaths. Between October 7, 2023, and September 30, 2026, 254 Palestinians were reportedly killed by airstrikes, compared to just six in the previous years dating back to 2008. The report accuses Israeli authorities of targeting Palestinians based on nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, and age.
In Gaza, the report claims that genocidal acts continue despite a ceasefire agreement, with the intent to partially or wholly destroy the Palestinian people. It alleges that Israeli forces persist in killing and harming civilians, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Chairman Srinivasan Muralidhar of the Commission stated that the destruction of homes and persistent denial of responsibility by Israel are part of a broader strategy to displace and exterminate Palestinians.
The report also accuses Israel of conducting a widespread and systematic attack on civilians in the West Bank, supported by military operations and settler violence since October 2023. It highlights the use of torture, reproductive and sexual violence as tactics to destabilize and subjugate Palestinians. Age-based persecution of Palestinian children in both the West Bank and Gaza is reported as a deliberate act by Israeli forces.
The Commission's investigation identifies the expansionist policies of Israel as a root cause of ongoing conflicts, suggesting that territorial control and displacement have been ongoing since the 1947-48 war. The report notes that military operations since January 2025 have resulted in the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank since 1967, with over 34,000 remaining displaced as of August 2026.
Furthermore, the Palestinian Authority is criticized for targeting dissenting voices, including journalists and human rights defenders, leading to a restricted civic space. The report calls for effective and impartial investigations into such incidents, which it claims have been lacking.
Recommendations in the report urge Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion, end the occupation, and dismantle settlements. It also calls on the Palestinian Authority to halt human rights violations and provide redress for victims wrongfully harmed by Palestinian security forces.