UN Commission Accuses Israel of Extermination Crimes in Gaza

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An independent United Nations commission released a report accusing Israel of committing "extermination" crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, a charge that can equate to genocide under international law. The report cites targeted bombings of civilian refuges, including schools and mosques, contributing to the deaths of over 55,000 residents since the escalation began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis.

The UN's International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories found that more than 658,000 children in Gaza have been without education for 20 months due to the destruction of the educational system. According to the findings, 403 out of 564 school buildings sustained damage or direct attacks, with 85 completely destroyed. The report also highlighted that humanitarian shelters, primarily UN-operated schools, faced significant bombardment despite their recognized locations.

"Evidence increasingly suggests that Israel is conducting a concerted campaign to obliterate Palestinian life in Gaza," stated Navi Pillay, the commission's chair. Findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council on June 17, 2025.

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