UN inquiry accuses Israel of crime of ‘extermination’ in Gaza

During its occupation of Gaza, Israel has been accused by UN investigators of intentionally attacking and killing medical personnel.

In its assault on Gaza, which it launched after Hamas, the Palestinian armed group, led a deadly cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel was accused of “commiting war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities,” according to a statement from ex-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, which was made public on Thursday ahead of a full report.

According to Pillay, whose report will be presented to the UN General Assembly on October 30th, “children in particular have suffered the brunt of these attacks, suffering both directly and indirectly as a result of the collapse of the health system.”

Israeli authorities have consistently claimed that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups are the targets of Israeli attacks on hospitals and schools in Gaza. Hassan denied that Hamas operates from command centers.

Additionally, the UN inquiry claimed that Israeli forces had systematically targeted and tortured medical personnel, targeted and prevented patients from leaving Gaza.

The purpose of the Commission of Inquiry is to gather information and identify those suspected of crimes against humanity in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. It relies on a variety of sources, including testimony from victims and witnesses, submissions, and satellite imagery.

In response to the COI’s earlier assertions, both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes in the first few months of the Gaza war, and that Israel’s actions also constituted crimes against humanity due to the devastating casualties suffered by the country’s citizens. The term is reserved for the most serious crimes committed without knowing it as part of a coordinated or widespread attack on civilians.

Children deal with ‘ brunt ‘ of attacks

Pillay urged Israel to “immediately stop” its “wanton destruction of healthcare facilities in Gaza.”

Pillay continued, “Children in particular have suffered the brunt of these attacks, suffering both directly and indirectly as a result of the health system’s collapse.”

The report cited the death of a six-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who died, along with her cousins, aunt and uncle, after pleading for help for hours.

Rajab’s passing was described as one of “the most egregious cases” of Israeli attack on the healthcare system, according to the COI.

‘ Systemic abuse ‘ of detainees

The report found that thousands of Palestinians were subject to “widespread and systemic abuse, physical and psychological violence, and sexual and gender-based violence” within Israeli military camps and detention centers.

Additionally, it stated that male prisoners were raped and sexually assaulted.

The COI said the “institutional mistreatment” of Palestinians was under direct order from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The statement also demanded the release of all Israeli prisoners in the enclave because many of them were “physically affected and suffering severely mentally” and that many were being held in Gaza.