Detailed findings on the military operations and attacks carried out in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 7 October to 31 December 2023 – Report by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (A/HRC/56/CRP.4)

10 June 2024

Press release

(Excerpt)

Introduction:

1. The Commission investigated attacks carried out on 7 October 2023 on several civilian targets in Israel, an attack on one military base, and rocket and mortar attacks. The Commission also investigated Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip up to 31 December 2023, with a focus on the siege, attacks on evacuating civilians and attacks on residential buildings and refugee camps. This conference room paper provides detailed findings on acts committed by Israel towards Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory up to 31 December 2023. The conference room paper also examines some incidents that took place after this date when they were relevant to the topics under discussion and were seen to represent a similar trend. This conference room paper also includes some acts carried out by Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza strip and the occupied West Bank. The Commission examines acts committed by Palestinian armed groups in Israel in its first conference room paper A/HRC/56/CRP.3.

2. The Commission sent four requests for information to Israel and one request to the State of Palestine. Israel did not respond. The State of Palestine provided the Commission with information. The Commission submitted six requests for access to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israel persists in not responding to the Commission’s requests for access to its territory and in preventing access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Commission considers that Israel is obstructing its investigations into events on and since 7 October 2023, both in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The State of Palestine has indicated that it would welcome a visit by the Commission.

3. The Commission undertook a mission to the Republic of Türkiye and the Arab Republic of Egypt from 28 February to 8 March 2024 to meet with Palestinians evacuated from the Gaza Strip on medical grounds and their relatives. In this regard, the Commission thanks the Governments of both countries for giving it access to their territories and the support provided during its mission. The Commission also thanks other States and organisations that have supported the implementation of its mandate since its last report.

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