UN investigation accuses Israel of seeking to ‘destroy’ Gaza’s health system
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A U.N. investigation showed Thursday it had concluded that Israel had pursued a coordinated policy of destroying Gaza’s healthcare system during the war, actions that amount to war crimes and genocide against humanity.
A statement issued by the former High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, before the release of a full report, accused Israel of “continuous and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities” during the war, which erupted after an attack by Hamas on southern Israel, on October 7, 2023.
Pillai, whose report will be presented to the UN General Assembly on Oct. 30, added: “Children in particular bear the consequences of these attacks because they suffer directly or indirectly from the collapse of the health care system.”
The UN investigative statement accused Israeli forces of deliberately killing and torturing medical personnel, targeting medical vehicles and obstructing permits allowing patients to leave the besieged Gaza Strip.
The statement also said that the treatment of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel since October 7, 2023, was investigated.
The investigation accused Israel involvement in torture and sexual violence.
