UN Commission urges member states to ensure ceasefire in Gaza and establishment of Palestinian State

New York (QNA): The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory urged Member States to use all reasonably available means to ensure the continued cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and a broad international support to Palestinian right to self-determination and Palestinian statehood.

Chair of the Commission Navi Pillay said in a statement “Member States should also turn their attention towards ensuring justice and accountability for all victims, through supporting the International Criminal Court in its investigations, using universal jurisdiction to conduct their own investigations, including of their dual nationals who are suspected to have committed crimes.”

“Although the ceasefire may put on hold the implementation of Israel’s territorial goals in Gaza, the territorial changes made to the Gaza Strip have yet to be reversed,” Pillay said.

“We found that Israeli officials have demonstrated a clear and consistent intent to establish permanent military control over Gaza and to change its demographic composition.آ Civilian infrastructure and natural resources essential to the survival of the civilian population have been destroyed in the corridors and buffer zone, the territory fragmented, and Palestinians were forcibly transferred. Israeli officials have publicly endorsed plans for the deportation of the population, the construction of settlements and annexation of the territory,” she added.

The Commission concluded that the Israeli occupation is responsible for the commission of four genocidal acts in Gaza with the specific intent to “destroy” Palestinians in Gaza, as such.

Pillay said “The Commission also found that the Israeli President, Prime Minister and former Defence Minister have incited the commission of genocide.” A summary of these findings is included in the report presented to the UN General Assembly Third Committee.

“In the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli policies and actions implemented since October 2023 – including explicit and implicit support for criminal actions of violent settlers – demonstrate clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand Israeli Jewish civilian presence and annex the majority of the West Bank. The purpose is to prevent any potential Palestinian self-determination and statehood and maintain an indefinite occupation,” she added.