GENEVA — UN investigators accused Israeli forces and Sudanese armed groups of committing war crimes, citing widespread civilian harm and destruction of essential infrastructure. The testimony was delivered during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.
Navi Pillay, head of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told Council members that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza had reached a level of destruction not seen since 1948.
“The goal of the Israeli government is abundantly clear: the destruction of life in Gaza,” Pillay said.
A report submitted to the Council on May 6 outlined widespread damage and civilian casualties. According to the Commission, 90 percent of schools and universities in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged by Israeli strikes. Methods included airstrikes, shelling, fire, and controlled demolitions.
The Commission determined that these attacks were carried out without sufficient warnings to civilians and caused disproportionate harm. Pillay stated the assaults qualify as war crimes and, in some cases, crimes against humanity.
The report challenged Israel’s justification for targeting schools based on the alleged presence of Hamas militants. Only one confirmed case of a school being used for military purposes was found. By contrast, Israeli forces were documented occupying educational institutions as operational bases.
In the West Bank, education is also under threat. The report cited demolition orders, armed raids, and settler violence as major disruptions to schooling. Pillay stated that the Israeli government either enabled or failed to prevent this violence.
Israeli forces have also damaged 53 percent of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites. Many were in use for shelter or worship at the time of the attacks. The Commission found no military justification for the scale of damage and concluded that these incidents, too, amount to war crimes.
“This destruction affects more than buildings. It erodes cultural identity, memory, and the right to religious practice,” Pillay said.
In East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Commission documented multiple cases of Israeli settlers or authorities seizing heritage sites. These takeovers blocked Palestinian access and erased non-Jewish historical narratives. Restrictions around the Al-Aqsa compound have intensified, the report found, contributing to broader territorial claims by Israel that violate international rulings.
Pillay concluded that Israel’s actions aim to weaken Palestinian identity and obstruct the right to self-determination. She called for an immediate end to the occupation, protection of cultural and educational sites, and full compliance with international law, including the 2024 advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.
In Sudan, the Human Rights Council received a grim update from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated, killing civilians and destroying entire communities.
“Many Sudanese are dying from hunger, particularly detainees. Millions more are affected,” said investigator Joy Ngozi Ezeilo during Tuesday’s session.
The Mission linked the intensifying conflict to the continued flow of weapons into Sudan, in violation of the UN Security Council’s arms embargo outlined in Resolution 1556.
Chair Mohamed Chande Othman said the conflict has seen heavy artillery, drone warfare, and urban combat grow more frequent.
Investigators found both SAF and RSF responsible for war crimes. In El Fasher, RSF fighters reportedly assaulted, detained, and killed civilians. One attack between April 10 and 13 left over 100 people dead. Meanwhile, SAF airstrikes in Al Koma killed at least 15 civilians.
The war, now in its third year, has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 13 million. Entire neighborhoods have been razed, health facilities bombed, and marketplaces looted. The Mission stated that civilians from targeted ethnic groups have been persecuted, signaling ongoing crimes against humanity.
Mona Rishmawi, a member of the investigating team, emphasized a rise in sexual violence. Testimonies revealed that women and girls are being subjected to rape, abduction, and forced marriage. Many cases occurred in RSF-controlled camps for displaced persons.
“There is a direct link between arms trafficking, armed conflict, and the resulting violations,” Othman said. “Modern warfare has intensified the suffering of civilians.”
The investigators called on all states to enforce the arms embargo and support humanitarian aid access. They stressed that ongoing violence cannot be stopped without cutting off weapons supplies and holding violators accountable.
Both investigations presented this week were mandated by the Human Rights Council. The experts involved are independent and do not receive payment for their work.
The Council is expected to review the reports further in the coming days and issue recommendations to member states.
