A UN commission established in 2021 to investigate human rights abuses in occupied Palestinian territories has concluded that Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank. The commission, led by Srinivasan Muralidhar, comprises independent investigators who have found evidence of extermination, persecution, torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. Their findings do not constitute a formal judgment but may inform international judicial proceedings.
The commission's report highlights that Israeli military operations and settler attacks are part of a coordinated policy of violence and forced displacement aimed at expanding Israeli control. Investigators have found that minors have been deliberately killed or injured, and that sexual violence is being used to subjugate and displace the population. The report cites a significant escalation in violence, with 254 Palestinians killed in under three years, compared to six between 2008 and October 2023.
The West Bank is experiencing its largest displacement of population since the 1967 war, with 34,176 people displaced as of August. In Hebron, an operation forcibly displaced over 2,000 Palestinians, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. He cited demolitions, neighborhood lockdowns, and punitive measures as contributing factors. The commission also maintains its previous conclusion that a genocide is occurring in Gaza, with genocidal acts continuing despite a ceasefire in October 2025.
The commission has criticized the Palestinian Authority for repressing dissenting voices and failing to seriously investigate violence by its security forces. The report's recommendations echo the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion in July 2024, calling for an immediate end to the occupation, the dismantling of settlements, and the return of confiscated lands. Israel has rejected these accusations, with its diplomatic mission in Geneva denouncing a "campaign of disinformation."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has previously expressed concern about the escalation in the West Bank, citing the expansion of settlements, expulsions, and aggression. He warned of the risk of ethnic cleansing. The formal implications of the commission's findings at the UN have not been specified. The report's conclusions are based on an investigation into human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The commission's report provides detailed evidence of the human rights situation in the West Bank, including the use of excessive force by Israeli security forces and the expansion of settlements. The report also notes that the Israeli authorities have integrated settler actions into coordinated military operations. This has resulted in a significant increase in violence and displacement.
The UN commission's findings have significant implications for the international community, highlighting the need for action to address human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories. The report's recommendations emphasize the importance of accountability and the need for Israel to end its occupation and dismantle settlements.
Key points
- The UN commission found Israel guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank.
- The commission's report highlights a significant escalation in violence and displacement in the West Bank.
- The report recommends an immediate end to the occupation, the dismantling of settlements, and the return of confiscated lands.
