UN Report: Israel Seeks Control of Gaza and a Jewish-Majority West Bank

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel's military has been accused of "systematically destroying" civilian life in Gaza since October 2023, while showing "clear intent" to forcibly displace Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, effectively preventing the possibility of a future Palestinian state. This was according to a new report by the UN released on the opening day of the annual General Assembly, as reported by Al Jazeera on Tuesday.

The UN Commission of Inquiry into the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which last week stated that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, reported on Tuesday that Israeli forces also intentionally altered the geography of Gaza through the construction of military corridors, expanding buffer zones, and establishing security zones.

"Since October 2023, Israeli officials have demonstrated a clear and consistent intent to establish permanent military control over Gaza and to change its demographic composition while systematically destroying Palestinian life in Gaza," the report stated, citing the demolition of wells, sewage pumping stations, and wastewater treatment facilities by Israel, as well as the destruction of educational institutions, mosques, and cemeteries.

The report, as reported by Al Arabiya, which will be presented to the UN General Assembly in October, found that by destroying civil infrastructure and forcibly moving the population, Israeli authorities have intentionally created living conditions designed to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinian population in Gaza, a fundamental act of genocide.

"Israeli actions had deepened the misery of the Palestinian people and deprived them of resources indispensable for their survival, including the capacity to produce food," said Navi Pillay, the chair of the commission, in a statement.

Israel, continuing its ground operation in Gaza City, firmly rejected the report.

A Hamas attack on October 7 killed 1,200 people and their fighters captured 251 hostages, according to Israeli estimates. However, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant admitted that Israeli military actions caused several casualties.

Israel's war in Gaza has killed at least 65,382 people and injured 166,985 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble. On Tuesday alone, Israel's deadly airstrikes intensified in Gaza City while ground forces advanced in the southern part of the city, killing at least 29 Palestinian residents in the entire enclave.

Last week, a UN investigation found that Israel's war in Gaza constituted genocide, a pivotal moment after nearly two years of conflict that activists deemed a revenge war with no clear purpose.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unilaterally withdrew from a ceasefire agreement with Hamas on March 18 and launched a large-scale airstrike. Israel also imposed a total aid blockade, triggering starvation and deaths from starvation in the enclave, home to 2.3 million people, most of whom have been forcibly displaced by Israel's war.

"The widespread destruction of Gaza has created a situation in which Palestinians cannot return to their homes, effectively paving the way for Israeli officials to propose that they ‘voluntarily migrate’ to other countries," the UN findings stated in its report on Tuesday.

"The Commission emphasises that plans proposed by Israeli officials – ‘voluntary migration’ and establishing a ‘humanitarian city’ – if implemented, would constitute the war crime and crime against humanity of forcible transfer and deportation of the Palestinian population."

West Bank

The Commission also found that since October 2023, Israel's policies have shown a clear intent to forcibly relocate Palestinian residents, expand Jewish settlements, and seize the entire West Bank.

"Increasing violent attacks by settlers have resulted in the forcible displacement of communities and subsequent Judaization of areas of the West Bank," the report stated.

The report also highlighted military operations in the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, which led to the destruction of homes and infrastructure, as well as the displacement of residents, actions that the Commission deemed militarily unjustified and equivalent to collective punishment.

The report named several Israeli ministers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as the main responsible parties for what the commission called international crimes.

Israel's Response

The Israeli mission in Geneva dismissed the report's findings. "Hamas has genocidal intent towards Israel, the report has everything backwards. This Commission does not miss an opportunity to reveal its true character and politically-driven agenda."

Regarding the West Bank, Defense Minister Israel Katz previously stated that the operation had reduced the threat from Palestinian armed groups.

Israel cited its biblical and historical ties to the West Bank, and denied the international community's claim that its settlements there are illegal.

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