On June 12, 2024, a UN investigation accused Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7, 2023, the date of Hamas's surprise attack on Israel. The findings were outlined in two separate reports from a commission of inquiry, established in 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council and chaired by former UN human rights chief Navi Pillay.
The first report details crimes by Palestinian armed groups during the October 7 attack, accusing Hamas’s military wing and six other groups of killings, torture, sexual violence, and systematic kidnapping. The second report addresses Israel's conduct in the ensuing conflict, accusing it of disproportionate force leading to high civilian casualties and war crimes such as starvation, intentional attacks on civilians, and torture.
Both sides have rejected the findings. Israel's mission to the UN in Geneva dismissed the report as politically motivated, while Hamas did not comment.
This development coincides with ongoing efforts to implement a US-brokered ceasefire plan. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently mediating in the region, working with Qatari and Egyptian officials. The proposed plan includes a three-phase process: an initial six-week ceasefire with hostage exchanges, followed by a permanent cessation of hostilities, and subsequently, a major reconstruction effort in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas have both made statements regarding their positions, with Israel insisting on destroying Hamas's military capacity before any ceasefire and Hamas seeking guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including over 37,160 deaths in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and about 1,200 killed in Israel from the initial attack.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to negotiate the peace proposal amidst international pressure for resolution.