United Nations General Assembly: New report published by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has released its third report on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, focusing on attacks on educational, cultural, and religious facilities since October 7, 2023, while also considering developments of previous incidents.
The report documents a systematic destruction of the education system in Gaza, with damage to over 70% of school buildings. As a consequence, more than 658,000 children have been without access to education for 18 months. The Commission found numerous cases of airstrikes, bombings, and demolitions of schools by Israeli forces, often without adequate warning and causing civilian casualties. These actions have been classified as war crimes, including direct attacks against civilians and disproportionate destruction of civilian property. Moreover, the killing of civilians who had taken refuge in schools by Israel falls under the crime against humanity of extermination, while the improper use of educational facilities as military bases by both sides of the conflict represents a violation of international humanitarian law.
Military operations, harassment of students, checkpoints, and settler attacks have put severe pressure on the education system in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, affecting more than 806,000 students. In light of the worsening situation, the Commission criticizes Israel's inaction in preventing and prosecuting settler attacks on educational facilities.
The result of this progressive demolition of the education system is an educational regression for young Palestinians, which in turn will negatively influence the social, political, and economic development of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The report documents damage to more than half of Gaza's religious and cultural sites. The Commission investigated 10 specific cases, concluding that Israeli forces did not take sufficient precautions to avoid damage to these protected sites. In some cases, the attacks were classified as war crimes, including the intentional destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments.
In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the appropriation and exploitation of cultural heritage sites by Israel are denounced as violations of international law. Concern is also expressed about frequent incursions and restrictions imposed on worshippers at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex.
The Commission emphasizes that the destruction of Gaza, the dismantling of its education system, and attacks on cultural and religious sites throughout the occupied Palestinian territories threaten the future of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination. Indeed, while such practices do not constitute acts of genocide in themselves, they can be interpreted as signs of a broader design. They could reveal an intention to annihilate a protected group, a key element in the definition of genocidal crime.
The report includes recommendations for all parties involved. Israel is urged to end the illegal occupation, cease attacks on educational, cultural, and religious facilities, and fully respect international norms. Palestinian authorities are invited to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites. The de facto authorities in Gaza are asked to stop indiscriminate rocket launches against civilians and to refrain from using civilian structures for military purposes.
Finally, the Commission urges all UN member states to fulfill their obligations under international law, cease any form of support for the commission of violations, and consider effective measures to ensure that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable for their actions.