According to the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, “they are being systematically and deliberately subjected to serious violations of human rights standards by all parties to the conflict in the region.”
“Settler violence is a direct result of Israeli policies that support, enable and protect their actions, while Hamas-affiliated forces have exploited the vacuum created by relentless Israeli attacks. and widespread destruction of Gaza,” said Srinivasan Muralidhar, president of the Commission.
“What is alarmingly similar is the deliberate infliction of suffering against Palestinian civilians. While their origins and motivations differ, both operate within Israeli-designed environments.”
Settlements, annexation and displacement
The report warned that settler attacks continue to increase in the West Bank, with at least seven Palestinians killed and 832 injured last year, a 130 percent increase from 2024.
It found that Israeli authorities are directly involved in settler attacks through financial and military support and granting impunity in prosecution.
Settler violenceIt functions as a means to implement the policy of the Israeli state.with the state and violent settler groups working towards the same strategic objectives: entrenchment of Israeli settlements, annexation of Palestinian territory and displacement of Palestinians from their lands,” he said.
The Commission documented several cases of how settlers have assaulted, kidnapped and abused Palestinian children, including while they were playing outdoors, going to school or caring for animals.
Sexual violence used to instill fear
Settlers have also committed sexual violence, or threatened to commit sexual violence, to instill fear and humiliate Palestinians.
In one incident, a group of settlers attacked Palestinians in Khirbeit Humsa last March. The women and girls were beaten and threatened with rape if the family did not leave the land.
“A man was stripped naked, sexually assaulted, had his genitals tied, and was dragged and paraded while being beaten.”the report said.
“Israeli police reported that they had arrested seven people in connection with this attack; however, The Commission is not aware of any investigation or judicial results.”
Executions and violence in Gaza
In Gaza, the Commission identified 249 cases of executions and serious physical violence between 2024 and 2025, with at least 108 dead and 384 injured.
“These cases involved executions, knee beatings, bone fractures with metal pipes or cement bricks, and beatings and were presented by the perpetrators as punishments for alleged collaboration with Israel.looting of humanitarian aid, theft, drug-related crimes or affiliations with internal rivals,” the report says.
Hamas-affiliated forces were involved in at least 60 of the incidents.including two public executions of 11 men. Investigators said these acts amount to war crimes of murder and torture, and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law.
“The Commission is gravely alarmed by the seriousness and public nature of Hamas’ punitive measures in Gaza, which Inflicting deep trauma on an already severely traumatized civilian population.”said Mr. Muralidhar.
He added that “any future framework for peace and stability in Gaza must include a clear and enforceable commitment to accountability.”
Attacks on Israeli civilians
The researchers also noted a Notable increase in killings and harm to Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed groups. and individuals in 2023, raising serious concerns that these attacks constitute a violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
The report’s conclusions highlight the need to ensure the protection of civilians, as well as accountability for violations committed by all parties, among other recommendations.
It will be presented at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council on June 15 in Geneva.
In May 2021, the Council appointed the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
The three commissioners are not UN staff nor do they receive remuneration for their work.