Israel has categorically rejected the findings of a United Nations probe that accused it of intentionally targeting healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip and mistreating Palestinian detainees. In a statement released on October 11, 2024, Israeli officials labeled the UN report “outrageous,” asserting that it mischaracterizes Israel’s military actions.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry asserted that Israel has implemented a systematic policy aimed at dismantling Gaza’s healthcare system. The report alleges that the country is committing war crimes and acts against humanity, specifically referencing relentless attacks on medical personnel and facilities.

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In response, Israel’s mission in Geneva firmly denied these claims, stating that the report is an attempt to undermine Israel’s existence and its right to defend its citizens. The mission further contended that the report fails to acknowledge the extensive evidence showing that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have utilized medical facilities in Gaza for terrorist activities.

Additionally, Israel rejected allegations of widespread abuse of Palestinian detainees, emphasizing its commitment to upholding international legal standards regarding detainee treatment. The mission described the commission’s narrative as a fabrication that exacerbates the ongoing conflict.

The UN commission, established by the Human Rights Council in May 2021, has published its second report since the October 7 attack by Hamas last year, which ignited the current hostilities. According to an AFP tally, Israeli military actions in Gaza have resulted in more than 42,000 deaths, with the health ministry in Gaza attributing these figures to the ongoing violence.