A boy walks through a destroyed neighbourhood in Gaza City.
This article is published in association with United Nations.
Increased Israeli attacks and the forced transfer of Palestinians have sparked concern over ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday.
The report covers the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 and is based on monitoring conducted by OHCHR and information from governmental sources, other UN entities and non-governmental organizations.
“Intensified attacks, the methodical destruction of entire neighbourhoods and the denial of humanitarian assistance appeared to aim at a permanent demographic shift in Gaza,” it said.
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“This, together with forcible transfers, which appear to aim at a permanent displacement, raise concerns over ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Killing, famine and destruction in Gaza
The report details the continued killing and maiming of unprecedented numbers of civilians by Israeli forces in Gaza, the spread of famine in the enclave, and the destruction of the remaining civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and homes.
This was “imposing on Palestinians conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence in Gaza as a group.”
The patterns of deadly attacks witnessed in Gaza raised grave concerns that Israeli forces intentionally targeted civilians and civilian objects, and launched attacks knowing that the loss of life, injury or damage “would be clearly excessive in relation to the military advantage anticipated, which would constitute war crimes.”
At least 25,594 Palestinians were killed, and 68,837 injured, during the reporting period, according to the Gaza health authorities which OHCHR verification confirmed is reliable.
More than 68,800 Palestinians have been killed, and 170,664 injured, since the start of hostilities on 7 October 2023 following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel. The actual death toll is likely to be higher as the figure does not account for persons buried under rubble.
Death by starvation
At least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, starved to death in Gaza during the reporting period.
“The situation of famine and malnutrition was the direct result of actions taken by the Israeli Government,” the report said, which included blocking the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid.
Any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime, and may also constitute crimes against humanity if committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.
Furthermore, “if committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, it may also constitute genocide.”
Use of force in the West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, the report detailed the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces “including through the continued deployment of means and methods designed for warfare;” widespread arbitrary arrest, torture and other ill-treatment of Palestinians in detention, and destruction of property.
These acts were used “to systematically discriminate, oppress, control and dominate the Palestinian people”.
The report also noted concerning incidents of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force by Palestinian Authority security forces, including during large-scale militarized operations targeting persons wanted by Israel.
Hostages as bargaining tools
The reporting period also saw Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups continue to hold Israeli and foreign hostages seized on 7 October 2023 — along with the bodies of those who died or were killed in captivity — as bargaining tools.
“Videos previously released and public testimonies of released hostages have indicated sexual and other gender-based violence, torture and other ill-treatment, including beating, prolonged confinement underground, and deprivation of food, water and bathroom access,” the report said.
It recalled that taking hostages and subjecting them to such treatment and conditions “breach multiple provisions of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and possibly other atrocity crimes.”
Impunity and inaction
The report also detailed a “pervasive climate of impunity” for gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli authorities in the occupied Palestinian territory. No meaningful steps have been taken towards accountability.
“Impunity is not abstract – it kills. Accountability is indispensable. It is the prerequisite for a just and durable peace in Palestine and Israel,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Call for justice
Under recommendations, the report urged all States “to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel” facilitating violations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
It noted the continued efforts to advance the US-led Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza, announced last October; however, the absence of any steps to ensure accountability for violations since 7 October 2023 represents a critical gap.
The report insisted that “justice for victims must lay the foundation for the reconstruction of Gaza,” and called on States to ensure the immediate participation of Palestinians in governance structures to determine and shape the reconstruction of the enclave.
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