United Nations-mandated investigators have accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity in the occupied West Bank, including “extermination,” torture, and sexual violence, according to a report released on 26 October 2026. The findings, issued by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, mark the first time the body has directly charged Israel with such crimes in the region.
The commission’s report, published the day before Israel’s general election, details a widespread and systematic attack
on West Bank civilians by Israeli forces, exacerbated by sustained settler violence. It found that Israeli authorities have intended to collectively punish
Palestinians following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. The report also cites instances of ethnic cleansing
concerns in Hebron, where 3,189 people were displaced during an Israeli military operation, according to the city’s municipality.
UN Commission of Inquiry:"Israel has committed war crimes & the crimes against humanity of extermination, persecution, torture, rape & other forms of sexual violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, intentionally targeting Palestinian civilians."https://t.co/T62n3Xn7sY pic.twitter.com/MPZsx1aO98
— https://x.com/UNGeneva/status/2114699408214540581
Allegations of Systematic Violence
The commission’s investigation into killings and harm caused by Israeli and Palestinian security forces since October 2023 revealed that Israeli forces have used lethal force against unarmed civilians, including children. In seven cases reviewed, victims did not pose a threat,
with many being minors. The report notes that Israeli soldiers targeted the heads or upper bodies of unarmed individuals without warning, resulting in 196 Palestinian deaths along the forces’ line of advance between 2023 and 2026, including 18 women, 32 boys, and 11 girls.
Sexual violence and torture against Palestinian detainees were also documented. A 17-year-old boy, Walid Ahmed, died in Megiddo Prison in 2026 after allegedly being starved and denied medical care, which the commission classified as a war crime. Another detainee was raped with objects during interrogation, with guards mocking him and threatening his family, the report states. The commission emphasized these were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern.
#Israel has committed war crimes & crimes against humanity in the Occupied #Palestinian Territory amid continuing #genocide in Gaza, the @UN Commission of Inquiry on Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel said in a new report to #UNGA81 today.More ➡️ https://t.co/mOJiTBLIDy pic.twitter.com/6hm9dwJJbE
— https://x.com/uninvhrc/status/2114693275193835670
Israeli Response and Palestinian Authority Criticism
The commission also criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA) for suppressing dissent through arbitrary arrests, torture, and targeting journalists. It cited cases of excessive force during West Bank protests in 2023, including the deaths of a boy and a girl. However, the report noted that key witnesses were not interviewed, and the PA allegedly ignored court orders for detainees’ release.
Ongoing Tensions and International Calls for Accountability
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged an end to the violence, stating that durable peace in the Middle East
requires recognizing Palestinians’ right to self-determination. The commission’s chairman, Indian jurist Srinivasan Muralidhar, condemned Israel’s “unliveable” conditions in the West Bank, calling for an end to collective punishment and displacement. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued operations in Hebron, with the military stating the campaign would focus on areas linked to attackers.
The report highlights a deepening humanitarian crisis, with the UN commission urging immediate action to address systemic abuses. As the conflict intensifies, the question of accountability remains unresolved, with both sides denying allegations of criminal conduct.
📰 My new report “Truth under the Rubble: Media in the Time of Genocide” is out🔗 Available in all official UN Languages: https://t.co/D6whnBEhW4🇺🇳 FOLLOW THE PRESENTATION@ the UN General Assembly, New York>Monday 26 October2pm EST/ 7pm CETLivestream details will follow. pic.twitter.com/kJbI9wi1WC
— https://x.com/FranceskAlbs/status/2114483869533823405
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The Palestinian people continue to endure immense suffering.Israeli restrictions on humanitarian assistance must be lifted.The obstacles to implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict endorsed by the Security Council must be removed.Civilians must be…
— https://x.com/antonioguterres/status/2114705712664207451
I can't stop thinking of how Apartheid Israel has killed Palestinian media workers (~300) and their relatives (700+), making Gaza the deadliest place for journalists EVER.Time to make sure the genocidaires and their cheerleaders are held to account. pic.twitter.com/3xIIifP90O
— https://x.com/FranceskAlbs/status/2114744865179234549