World

UN Commission Reports Ongoing Genocide and War Crimes in Gaza and West Bank

By Rizmi Lia M.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel has released a report to the United Nations General Assembly on 14 October 2026. The commission concludes that Israeli authorities and forces have continued to commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The report examines killings and serious bodily and mental harm inflicted by Israeli and Palestinian security forces since October 2023. It identifies the drivers of Israeli and Palestinian state violence, including killings, bodily and mental harm, and sexual and gender‑based violence, and reviews policies and practices that contribute to recurrent tensions and instability.

The commission also requested information on incidents from 1948‑1949, the 1950s, and 2000‑2005, contextualised by the 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution 181 that ended the British Mandate and adopted a partition plan.

Key findings include: - From 7 October 2023 to 9 October 2025, more than 72,600 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and over 1,000 in the West Bank. - From 10 October 2025 to 30 September 2026, 1,431 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 137 in the West Bank. - Israeli forces are responsible for approximately 95% of killings and 82% of injuries to Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023. - The commission documented intentional killings of unthreatened victims, false justifications for lethal force, extra‑judicial executions, and continuous sexual and reproductive violence. - The use of unguided munitions continued after the ceasefire in October 2025, contradicting a May 2026 report by the Board of Peace to the Security Council. - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on 28 May 2026, instructed Israeli forces to seize 70% of Gaza, signalling ongoing territorial expansion.

The report analyses violations of international law, identifying widespread or systematic attacks against civilians, state policy, and a clear nexus between acts and the attack. It concludes that Israeli authorities have committed the crime of extermination, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence, persecution based on nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, and age. These acts also constitute war crimes of wilful killing and wilfully causing serious injury.

The commission notes that Israel applies a conduct of hostilities paradigm to law enforcement in the West Bank, violating obligations under international human rights law, including the right to life, protection from torture and cruel treatment, liberty and security, privacy, adequate standard of living, health, education, and the rights of children.

The report also addresses harm caused by Palestinian security forces. It cites increased use of force against Palestinians in the West Bank, including the killing of at least 14 Palestinians between 7 October 2023 and 31 October 2025. The Palestinian Authority is accused of targeting human rights defenders, using sexual and gender‑based violence, and repressing critics of Operation Protect the Homeland.

Recommendations: - Israel should end the unlawful occupation, cease genocide, comply with international humanitarian and human rights law, and stop sexual and gender‑based violence. - The State of Palestine should conduct independent investigations into alleged violations, stop persecution of human rights defenders, and address mistreatment of journalists. - Member states should investigate and prosecute suspects, regulate artificial intelligence use in armed conflict and law enforcement, and support the International Criminal Court’s investigation of crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

The report was published on 4 November 2026 at 09:51 pm IST.