Translated with AI
Independent UN human rights experts will continue their investigations into violations and war crimes committed by all parties during the conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip. This was announced by representatives of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
Commission Chair Srinivasan Muralidhar recalled that the Peace Council was established in accordance with a plan submitted to the Security Council, which was voted on and adopted. The commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council in May 2021, is mandated to investigate human rights violations committed by all parties to the conflict in both territories.
In September 2025, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, then chair of the commission, declared that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The accusations stemmed from military action that began after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people. Israel denied the accusations of genocide.
Muralidhar emphasized that the findings of previous experts should be incorporated into a judicial mechanism ensuring justice for all parties to the conflict. In 2026, the commission intends to investigate "attacks by armed Palestinian groups," while maintaining the independence of its work. He also noted that due to a lack of funding, the experts were unable to investigate arms shipments and incidents of violence by Israeli settlers, despite these issues being included in the commission's mandate.
At a press conference in Geneva, experts condemned the deaths of three Palestinian journalists in central Gaza as a result of an Israeli airstrike, noting that attacks on journalists hinder transparency and public information. Commission member Florence Mumba stated, "When a journalist is killed, it means there is something to hide."
The experts also commented on the demolition of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem. They emphasized the agency's key role in supporting Palestinians for decades, noting that any action against its work could have consequences for human rights, including children's rights to education and the right of all people to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
In November 2025, the commission was joined by Australian Chris Sidoti, Indian lawyer Srinivasan Muralidhar, and Zambian representative Florence Mumba. Previously, the commission's chair, Navi Pillay, retired in October 2025, and Chris Sidoti and Miloon Kothari also stepped down.
The experts emphasized that continuing investigations and establishing responsibility for all parties to the conflict remain the commission's priority in 2026.
