UN Report Accuses Israel of Crimes Against Humanity in Gaza

In a new report released on Tuesday, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity, including "extermination," in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war that began in October 2023. The report highlights the targeting of civilians and the systematic destruction of educational and cultural infrastructure, with effects extending to the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The report emerges during an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region, with Palestinian casualties surpassing 54,000, according to statistics cited in the document. This comprehensive article examines the report’s findings through five key sections: the accusations against Israel, the war’s impact on education and culture, testimonies from UN officials, international reactions, and the situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, offering an in-depth analysis of this critical issue.

Accusations of Extermination and Systematic Destruction in Gaza

The UN report presents compelling evidence that Israel has carried out widespread destruction in Gaza as part of a deliberate strategy to erase Palestinian life. It states that Israeli forces demolished over 90% of school and university buildings and more than half of the religious and cultural sites in the Gaza Strip. These statistics underscore the scale of the catastrophe affecting the foundational infrastructure of Palestinian society, suggesting that the destruction was not an incidental byproduct of conflict but a targeted effort to undermine the population’s ability to survive.

The commission’s accusations include war crimes, such as the deliberate killing of civilians seeking shelter in schools and mosques. The report characterizes these acts as an "organized campaign" constituting crimes against humanity, with a specific intent of extermination.

It notes, for instance, that Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, highlighting the indiscriminate brutality of these operations. The report also documents the use of advanced weaponry, including quadcopter drones, to directly target civilians, intensifying the suffering of a population already enduring a years-long siege.

Furthermore, the report asserts that this destruction aims not only to weaken Palestinian resistance but also to dismantle their social and cultural fabric. The commission argues that this strategy seeks to render life in Gaza unlivable, compelling residents to either flee or submit to the imposed conditions.

Impact of the War on Palestinian Education and Culture

The war’s repercussions extend beyond Gaza to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where the Palestinian educational system has faced systematic assaults. The report reveals that Israeli authorities have targeted teachers and students expressing solidarity with Gaza’s victims through arrests and harassment, particularly focusing on female educators and students to suppress women’s participation in public life.

In Gaza, the destruction of schools and universities has deprived tens of thousands of students of education, jeopardizing the future of entire generations. The report frames this loss as more than physical, describing it as an attempt to erase Palestinian cultural identity. Libraries and museums preserving Palestinian heritage have been destroyed, resulting in the irreversible loss of significant historical and cultural assets. This intentional targeting deepens despair and hampers the population’s ability to envision a sustainable future.

In the West Bank, students encounter similar obstacles, with restrictions on movement and access to educational facilities. The report suggests that these measures aim to perpetuate poverty and dependency, increasing Palestinian vulnerability to political and economic pressures. Thus, the conflict transcends military dimensions, representing a broader assault on the Palestinian right to self-determination.

Testimonies from UN Officials on the Violations

UN officials’ statements lend significant weight to the report, offering powerful testimonies that bolster the accusations against Israel. Navi Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and chair of the commission, stated, "There is increasing evidence that Israel is waging an organized campaign to erase Palestinian life in Gaza." She emphasized that these actions reflect a deliberate policy aimed at annihilating Palestinian society rather than incidental breaches of conduct.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur, labeled the events in Gaza as "genocide," asserting that Israel is exploiting the war to destroy Palestinian property and displace its people. She highlighted the use of unprecedented weapons, such as quadcopter drones, which indiscriminately target civilians, particularly children unable to flee easily. Albanese urged the international community to cease treating Israel as a law-abiding state, arguing that its actions clearly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

These assertions, grounded in months of field investigations and documented evidence, underscore the dire conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza, where even places of refuge offer no safety.

International Reactions and Israel’s Stance

The report has elicited varied responses globally, igniting controversy among UN member states. Israel withdrew from the Human Rights Council in February, accusing it of bias, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed prior reports as "antisemitic." Israel also declined to cooperate with the commission, rejecting the genocide allegations as unfounded.

Western responses, particularly from the United States, have been notably restrained. Washington continues to provide military aid to Israel, including weapons, while suppressing domestic anti-war protests, a stance Albanese criticized as rendering international justice "impotent" and undermining global legal standards.

In contrast, the Human Rights Council extended Albanese’s mandate for three more years in April, despite Israeli opposition, signaling growing international pressure to address Gaza’s plight. Albanese noted that while member states may disagree with her findings, they continue to engage with her reports.

Situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem

The report also addresses escalating violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where Israeli military operations and settler attacks have intensified. Albanese warned of the looming threat of forced displacement in the West Bank, with annexation risks persisting. She noted Israel’s 16-month effort to depopulate Gaza, thwarted by Palestinians’ refusal to abandon their land.

In East Jerusalem, students and teachers face ongoing harassment, with restricted access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and schools. Albanese argued that these policies aim to alter the area’s demographic makeup, violating international law. Despite these pressures, Palestinian resilience, including from groups like Hamas, has prevented displacement, reflecting a steadfast commitment to remain.

Conclusion

The UN report confronts the international community with a pressing challenge to address ongoing violations in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. With rising accusations of crimes against humanity and genocide, urgent action is needed to halt the destruction and uphold Palestinian rights. The report’s presentation to the Human Rights Council on June 17 could spark new debates and intensify pressure on Israel.

Albanese stresses the critical role of international law, viewing youth and civil society as catalysts for shifting global perspectives. The unresolved question is whether the United Nations can enforce justice or if Western backing of Israel will continue to hinder accountability. The answer will unfold in the coming months as Palestinians endure the weight of war and occupation.