A United Nations commission investigating the conflict in Gaza has released its latest report, presenting significant findings regarding conduct by parties involved.
The panel’s report states that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, marking its most comprehensive finding to date concerning the Israeli government’s actions. Earlier reports from the same commission had previously concluded that Israel committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in its conflict with Hamas militants.
The commission’s investigations have primarily focused on the war in Gaza since the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities. Israel has asserted that Hamas fighters utilize hospital facilities.
Concurrently, the commission has also identified war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by armed Palestinian groups. Specifically, it reported that these groups committed sexual violence in multiple locations during the October 7 attack on Israel.
The report’s release coincides with Israel’s reported escalation of military operations, including a ground invasion of Gaza City. Last year, an international court, which allowed a genocide case against Israel to proceed, directed the Israeli government to take preventative action against genocidal acts by its forces in Gaza. The UN commission’s report indicates that it does not rule out future investigations into potential genocide by Israel in the West Bank or by Hamas during its October 7 attack.
Source: www.nytimes.com