The first comprehensive United Nations investigation into the October 7 attacks and the ensuing conflict in Gaza has concluded that Israel and Hamas committed war crimes and serious violations of international law. The reports, released Wednesday, cover events through the end of 2023.
What war crimes did the investigation reveal?
The commission found that Hamas committed war crimes on 7 October, the day it and other Palestinian armed groups launched a wave of killings and kidnappings in southern Israel, leaving more than 1,200 people dead and 250 hostages taken. These crimes included intentional attacks on civilians, murder or wilful killing, torture, inhuman or cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity and the taking of hostages, including children.
The commission concluded that Israel also committed war crimes, as well as crimes against humanity, during the first two and a half months of the conflict. A crime against humanity is defined as a widespread and systemic attack directed against a civilian population. Israel’s alleged war crimes include starvation, arbitrary detention, and the killing and maiming of “tens of thousands of children.”
According to the reports, which span more than 200 pages, both Israel and Hamas have committed sexual violence and torture and intentionally attacked civilians.
How did the investigation reach this conclusion?
The commission said its findings were based on interviews with victims and witnesses, thousands of open-source materials verified through forensic analysis, hundreds of submissions, satellite imagery, forensic medical reports and media coverage, including several key CNN investigations.
How did both sides react?
CNN has contacted Hamas for comment.
Israel accused the fact-finding mission of “trying to justify” Hamas’ actions, of “systematic discrimination against Israel” and of contextualizing the attacks “through the prism of the Palestinian narrative.” The Israeli mission to the UN said the report failed to mention the continued rocket fire into the country and said it “is an outrageous and repugnant attempt to draw a false equivalence between IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldiers and Hamas terrorists with regard to acts of sexual violence,” adding that the Israeli military conducts itself in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law.
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