The United Nations is now saying that both Israel and Hamas have committed war crimes and both sides are guilty. Much of the focus has been on the genocide in Palestine, however, Hamas is also violating the international rules of war.

An independent commission has found that both Hamas and Israel are to blame for crimes against humanity. Israeli authorities have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza since October 7th, a United Nations-backed commission has found following an independent investigation. The probe also found that Palestinian armed groups were responsible for war crimes committed in Israel, according to a report by RT.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, set up by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), released its report on Wednesday. The UNHRC described the document as the UN’s first in-depth investigation of the events that took place on and since October 7th, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise cross-border attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. West Jerusalem responded with retaliatory strikes on Gaza.

The commission found that Israeli authorities were “responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, murder or wilful killing, intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, forcible transfer, sexual violence, torture and inhuman or cruel treatment, arbitrary detention, and outrages upon personal dignity.”

Israel’s stated goal since the start of the war was the elimination of Hamas. They continue to claim that until the terrorist organization is wiped off the map, the war will rage on.

Israel Doubles Down On Its Goal To Eliminate Hamas

While the focus has largely been on Israel and its response to the attack on October 7th, the report found that the military wing of Hamas and six other Palestinian armed groups had been responsible for the war crimes of intentionally targeting civilians. The report stated: “murder or wilful killing, torture, inhuman or cruel treatment,” taking hostages, and other crimes were committed by Hamas.

“It is imperative that all those who have committed crimes be held accountable,” said the chair of the commission, Navi Pillay. “The only way to stop the recurring cycles of violence… is to ensure strict adherence to international law.”