UN probe finds both Israel and Hamas committed war crimes

By bellecarter // 2024-06-18

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United Nation's investigation of the events that took place on and since Oct. 7 has found that both Israel and Hamas are guilty of committing war crimes. Militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on the said date, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel responded with retaliatory strikes on Gaza, which are still ongoing to date. According to local health authorities, more than 37,200 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and over 84,900 others injured. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, set up by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), released its report on June 12, describing the document as the UN's first in-depth investigation of the events in Gaza. The report is based on interviews with victims and witnesses conducted remotely and during a mission to Turkey and Egypt, with thousands of open-source items verified through advanced forensic analysis, hundreds of submissions, satellite imagery and forensic medical reports, according to the commission. It found that Israeli authorities were "responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, murder or willful killing, intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, forcible transfer, sexual violence, torture and inhuman or cruel treatment, arbitrary detention and outrages upon personal dignity." The report also found that some statements made by Israeli officials had "amounted to incitement and may constitute other serious international crimes." Israel's goal since the start of the war was the elimination of Hamas. They continue to claim that until the terrorist organization is wiped off the map, the war will rage on. The report also found that the military wing of Hamas and six other Palestinian armed groups had been responsible for the war crimes of intentionally targeting civilians, "murder or wilful killing, torture, inhuman or cruel treatment," taking hostages and other crimes. The commission then called on Israel to immediately end attacks resulting in the killing and maiming of civilians in Gaza, end the siege on Gaza, implement a ceasefire, ensure that those whose property has been unlawfully destroyed receive reparations and ensure that necessities crucial for the health and well-being of the civilian population immediately reach those in need. It also urged Palestine and the de-facto authorities in Gaza to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in the enclave; ensure their protection, including from sexual and gender-based violence; report on their state of health and wellbeing; allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), contact with families and medical attention and ensure their treatment in compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. "Stop all indiscriminate firing of rockets, mortars and other munitions towards civilian populations," it added. Israel rejected the findings. In a press release, the country's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva reiterated accusations of "systematic anti-Israeli discrimination" and political bias and of drawing a "false equivalence" between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters. (Related: Republican-led House votes to sanction ICC for investigating Israeli war crimes in Gaza.)

Sen. Sanders urges Americans to stand against "barbarism"

Senator Bernie Sanders agreed with the UN commission's report that said both Israel and Hamas had committed "war crimes" since Oct. 7 last year. "The UN is right," the senator said in a statement. Sanders said that it is imperative to support the work and findings of the United Nations and other international organizations like the International Criminal Court. "These institutions are attempting to uphold the Geneva Conventions and the body of international law that emerged from the horrors of World War II," Sanders added, stressing that it is critical that the U.S. and every other country stand firm against "barbarism," work to implement international law and ensure accountability. The commission's report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council's 56th session on June 19 in Geneva. A day after his statement, Sanders once again lambasted Israel due to the recent developments in the occupied West Bank. "While the world is understandably focused on the destruction unfolding in Gaza, we should not lose sight of what is happening in the West Bank, actions which violate both American and international law," Sanders said in a statement, adding that more than 500 Palestinians, including 100 children, have been killed by Israeli security forces and illegal settlers in the West Bank. Sanders stressed that the Israeli government deepens the occupation and undermines the prospects for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is beholden to figures even more extreme than he is. He should be facing serious consequences for these violations, not receiving an invitation to address a joint session of Congress," he said. Visit WWIII.news to read more stories related to this. Watch the video below that talks about the report of the UNHRC related to war crimes committed in Gaza. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sen. Sanders urges Americans to stand against "barbarism"

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