UN human rights chief in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) Ajit Sungha launched his latest report, which covers the period between 7 October 2023 and 31 May 2025, following Hamas-led attacks on Israel and Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza.
It documents massive violations of international law, including atrocity crimes, and points to war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli and Palestinian parties.
lasting results
“After a year, Despite a ceasefire in October 2025, the lasting consequences of the patterns we have documented are clear” Mr Sunghay said.
“The ceasefire reduced the enormous scale of violence up to that point and opened up some modest humanitarian space. But killings and destruction of infrastructure continue on an almost daily basis, and the overall humanitarian situation remains dire. While Hamas continues its violations, including against the people of Gaza“
The reporting period saw unprecedented levels of killings of Palestinians by Israeli forces, a tightening and expansion of Israeli control over Palestinians and their lands, and “concerning conduct” by Palestinian authorities and armed groups such as indiscriminate rocket firing against Israel and the taking of hostages.
deadly attacks, devastating violence
Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity by attacking civilians in Israel on and after 7 October 2023, killing at least 1,124 people, taking hostages and firing thousands of unguided missiles into Israeli territory for more than a year.
“The released hostages have provided credible accounts of torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence,” Mr. Sunghee said.
Meanwhile, “Israel carried out devastating violence and dispossession in Gaza and the West Bank, committing war crimes and potential crimes against humanity,” he said.
He said the report found that the totality of Israeli conduct in Gaza raises serious concerns about the country’s compliance with its obligation to stop acts within its borders. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Blockade, starvation and displacement
“The fact is that Palestinians have no means to ensure their survival or protect their loved ones after hundreds of deaths since the ceasefire was announced” Mr Sunghay said.
“Israeli forces have killed 72,769 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023: in their homes, in IDP shelters, in hospitals, in schools, in places of worship, on the streets, while queuing for aid, while trying to fish in the sea.”
moreover, “The Israeli blockade of Gaza resulting in starvation and famine, which was predicted and later confirmedHe stressed that “any use of starvation as a method of warfare against civilians is a war crime, and may amount to a crime against humanity and even genocide in some situations.”
Mr. Sunghee also addressed the displacement in Gaza, which has raised concerns about ethnic cleansing and forced transfers. People have fled neighborhoods that have now disappeared “as Israeli forces continue to illegally demolish buildings across Gaza – homes are still filled with thousands of undecomposed Palestinian bodies.”
‘Unprecedented’ settlement expansion
Regarding the West Bank, he said that the rate of forced displacement is “unseen in decades”, describing Israeli settlement expansion there as “unprecedented”.
“Israeli military and police forces and settlers are killing more and more Palestinians, often together, with impunity,” he said. Since the October 7 attacks, they have killed 1,096 Palestinians, with children accounting for about 20 percent, or one in five.
“Settler attacks are carried out regularly Support, approval, or involvement of Israeli security forces,” He said.
“The Israeli government has intensified its militarization of the settler movement, shielded them from accountability, and is now actively profiting from settler violence as a catalyst for its alleged annexation agenda.”
Mr Sunghee said there is eviction in the West Bank “The settlement is matched in intensity with the record rate of expansion” which has increased by 80 percent since the government took office.102 new settlements were added to the already existing 127 settlements.
unable to return home
Additionally, 33,000 Palestinians displaced from three refugee camps last year – Jenin, Tulkarem and Nour Shams – are still unable to return to their homes.
“Israeli officials are Palestinians are being forced out of their homes at worrying levels around the Old City in East JerusalemHanding over their properties to settlers, or making room for settlement projects, including a park and a cable car project,” he said.
The report also documented other patterns, including torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, including sexual violence and even rape, and denial of adequate food and medical care.
“Discriminatory practices further reinforce Israel’s violations of the prohibition of apartheid and racial segregation,” he said.
‘Impunity encourages recidivism’
He said that overall, not enough steps are being taken to stop these violations.
“The The ceasefire has not led to any meaningful accountability for violations committed over the years. Nor does it make any fundamental calculations about the underlying driver – longer occupation,” he said.
“Impunity perpetuates repetition. Most of the horrors documented here, and those recorded decades ago, have not been punished, with no possibility of justice for the victims.”
Mr. Sunghee stressed that in addition to expressing condemnation, States should immediately take every step consistent with international law to end the Israeli occupation, dismantle existing settlements, protect civilians, pursue accountability for serious violations by all parties, and ensure that Palestinians are able to exercise their human rights.
“In such a context, Lack of action is not inaction. this is a license,” He said.
