U.N. Report Accuses Israeli Forces Of Carrying Out 'Extermination' Campaign In Gaza

A new independent report presented to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council on Wednesday concluded that Israeli forces have been carrying out several crimes against humanity on the civilian population in Gaza, including a campaign of “extermination” that has ramped up since the current military offensive began more than eight months ago.

The report was conducted by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. The independent commission, which initially published the report on June 12, was formed to investigate human rights abuses committed by Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

The commission presented its report before the U.N. Human Rights Council, which began its 56th session in Geneva on Wednesday. The report focuses mostly on possible international violations of humanitarian and human rights laws from Oct. 7 to Dec. 31.

The commission’s report also found that militants belonging to Hamas and six other Palestinian armed groups engaged in the war crimes of murder, intentionally directing attacks on civilians, torture, inhuman or cruel treatment, destroying or seizing an adversary’s property, outrages upon personal dignity and taking hostages, including children, on Oct. 7.

“I am appalled by the disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law by parties to the conflict of Gaza. There has been unconscionable death and suffering,” U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk told member states on Tuesday.

The report additionally found that Israel is responsible for the war crimes of murder, intentionally directing attacks against civilians, forcible transfer, sexual violence, starvation as a method of warfare, torture and