UN commission accuses Israel of crimes against humanity in the West Bank

A UN-mandated commission of inquiry reported on October 26, 2026, that Israeli authorities and military forces have committed crimes against humanity in the West Bank. The findings include allegations of extermination, torture, rape, sexual violence, and persecution based on nationality, race, and ethnic origin. The commission also reiterated its previous finding that Israel is perpetrating genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The independent body, established in 2021, highlighted a sharp deterioration in the situation within the West Bank since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. According to the report, while only six Palestinians were killed in airstrikes between 2008 and October 6, 2023, the number of deaths has risen to 254 since the escalation began. These findings build on previous investigations that have been consistently criticized by Israeli officials.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, formally rejected the report, characterizing the accusations as false, antisemitic, and an attempt to undermine the state's legitimacy and its fundamental right to exist. The Israeli government maintains that the commission acts with bias against the Jewish state, rejecting all allegations of systemic crimes in both the West Bank and Gaza.