UN Inquiry Alleges Israel Committed Crime of 'Extermination' Against Gaza's Health System

The United Nations has released a damning statement accusing Israel of intentionally targeting health facilities in Gaza and killing medical personnel amid its ongoing military campaign following a lethal Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, stated that Israel's actions amount to war crimes and fit the criteria for the crime against humanity of extermination due to their "relentless and deliberate" attacks on healthcare infrastructure in the besieged territory.

Children have suffered disproportionately, Pillay noted, enduring both acute and long-term repercussions due to the devastation of the health system, which is critical in a region that has faced relentless conflict. The full report detailing these allegations is set to be presented to the UN General Assembly on October 30, 2023.

The Israeli government has defended its military operations by asserting that strikes on hospitals and schools target Hamas militants, a claim that Hamas fiercely contests, stating it does not utilize civilian locations for military purposes. The UN inquiry's findings indicate a pattern of targeting medical personnel, restricting medical access, and inflicting torture, highlighting severe ethical and legal concerns regarding the conduct of Israeli forces.

Evidence for these allegations is gathered from a wide range of sources, including victim interviews, eyewitness accounts, and satellite imagery. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) has previously indicated that both Hamas and Israel committed war crimes early in the conflict, asserting that Israel's military actions also qualify as crimes against humanity due to the significant civilian casualties inflicted.

One heartbreaking example cited in the report is the death of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who tragically died after pleading for medical assistance for several hours. This case has been identified as one of the most egregious instances of the health crisis exacerbated by military actions in Gaza.

Moreover, the report sheds light on conditions within Israeli military detention centers, where thousands of Palestinians are reported to have faced systemic abuse, including physical and psychological violence, alongside sexual and gender-based violence—some detainees were even subjected to rape. The inquiry claims that these abuses follow orders from far-right officials, particularly National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Additionally, the situation of Israeli captives held in Gaza is addressed in the report, stating they often endure severe physical and emotional suffering, with calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Israel has refused to engage with the inquiry, asserting the process holds an inherent bias against the state. As the global community anticipates the detailed report due this month, the implications of these findings could significantly influence international perceptions of the ongoing conflict and escalate calls for accountability.