UN Report Attributes West Bank Settler Violence to Israeli Policy and Blames Hamas for Executions, Abuse of Palestinians in Gaza

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a report on June 10, 2026, stating that Palestinian civilians remain trapped between Israeli forces, settlers, and Hamas rule. The commission found Israel primarily responsible for settler actions in the West Bank and Hamas-affiliated forces responsible for acts by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza.

It said Israeli authorities grant impunity for settler violence, allowing attacks that function as state policy to maintain occupation, expand settlements, annex territory, and displace Palestinians.

The report documented settlers assaulting, abducting, and abusing Palestinian children during play, school commutes, or work in fields. It repeated prior allegations of settlers committing or threatening sexual violence to instill fear. Srinivasan Muralidhar, chair of the commission, said settler violence stems directly from Israeli policies that support and protect such actions.

He added that Hamas-affiliated forces exploited the vacuum created by Israeli attacks and destruction in Gaza. The commission identified 249 cases of executions and severe physical violence in Gaza during 2024-2025, resulting in at least 108 deaths and 384 injuries. Hamas-affiliated forces participated in at least 60 of those incidents, including two public executions of 11 men.

Muralidhar stated the commission is gravely alarmed by the severity and public nature of Hamas punitive measures, which inflict trauma on an already traumatized population. He said any future peace framework must include enforceable accountability commitments. The report noted an increase in killings of Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed groups and individuals in 2023.