United Nations investigators have declared that Israel’s military and political leadership bear direct responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide committed against Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.

The findings come from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which confirmed it has gathered over 16,000 verified pieces of evidence — including photos, videos, satellite data, and eyewitness testimonies — documenting atrocities committed by Israeli forces during the ongoing assault on Gaza.

Commission member Chris Sidoti said the investigation, which spanned nearly two years, provides “clear and irrefutable proof” that Israel’s actions in Gaza deliberately targeted civilians and violated fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

“The Commission’s work is not limited to identifying crimes,” Sidoti stated during a press briefing in Geneva. “Our duty also includes identifying those responsible. We have been able to establish the involvement of senior Israeli officials who directly ordered or oversaw grave violations in Gaza.”

Established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021, the Commission has reviewed thousands of testimonies from survivors and witnesses, as well as extensive digital forensics and satellite imagery. Its latest report describes a pattern of systematic destruction: entire neighborhoods razed, hospitals and schools obliterated, and essential civilian infrastructure — including food, water, and medical systems — deliberately targeted.

“These actions are not random or accidental,” Sidoti said. “They reflect a deliberate strategy that meets the legal criteria for genocide under international law.”

The report also references the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants, issued on November 21, 2024, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Sidoti noted that the Commission’s evidence directly aligns with the ICC’s charges, further reinforcing the international community’s legal case against the Israeli leadership.

Responding to criticism from Israel and the United States, Sidoti dismissed allegations of bias, asserting that the Commission’s findings are grounded entirely in verifiable evidence.

“Our reports are based on facts, evidence, and international law — not politics,” he said. “The global community, including many member states and international experts, has recognized their legitimacy.”

Sidoti confirmed that no secret or undisclosed reports exist, emphasizing that all findings have been submitted to both the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly for review and follow-up action.

The Commission’s final report urges the international community to take immediate steps to ensure accountability for the crimes committed, deliver justice for the victims, and prevent further atrocities in Gaza.

Despite repeated ceasefire efforts, Gaza remains in a state of humanitarian catastrophe, with widespread famine, disease, and displacement.

“The responsibility now lies with the world,” Sidoti said. “If these crimes go unpunished, the message will be clear — that international law applies to some, but not to others. That would be the death of justice itself.” (ILKHA)