U.N. experts reported Tuesday that Israel committed the crime against humanity of “extermination” by killing civilians taking refuge in schools and religious sites in Gaza, describing it as part of a “deliberate campaign to eradicate Palestinian life.”
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel is set to present its findings to the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council on June 17.
“We are witnessing growing evidence that Israel is executing a systematic campaign to obliterate Palestinian life in Gaza,” said Navi Pillay, former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and chair of the commission, in a statement.
“By targeting Palestinian educational, cultural and religious institutions, Israel is inflicting lasting damage that will impact current and future generations, undermining their right to self-determination,” she added.
The commission’s investigation focused on attacks against schools, religious and cultural sites to determine violations of international law.
