Article in UN News on 19 February 2026: Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report

 

Thanks to my colleague Rtd. ambassador Hüseyin Avni Botsali - 

"I am forwarding below the UN News article entitled "Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report", which includes the link to the OHCHR report issued on 19 February 2026 (A/HRC/61/26) submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 58/2.  As stated in the Report's summary, it "provides an overview of the implementation of the resolution and developments relevant to the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, covering the period from 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025". 

While the report presents a series of alarming and grave findings regarding the situation in Gaza and in the West Bank during the above period, I would particularly flag the following "Part IV: Conclusions and Recommendations", with those in paras. 63-64 particularly directed to Member States:

"IV. Conclusions and recommendations

 54. Israeli forces, Hamas, and other Palestinian armed groups have continued to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, gross violations and abuses of international human rights law, and atrocity crimes.

 55. The human-made humanitarian catastrophe further deepened, which included the spread of famine, starvation and malnutrition, and the critical lack of healthcare and other basic necessities across Gaza.

 56. The cumulative impact of Israel forces’ conduct of hostilities in Gaza since 7 October and its long-standing blockade of Gaza has been the infliction of conditions of life increasingly incompatible with Palestinians’ continued existence as a group in Gaza.132  This conduct has occurred through recurrent violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. These violations also encompassed the commission of crimes under international law, and appeared to aim at a permanent demographic shift in Gaza raising concerns over ethnic cleansing.133 Israel has a legal obligation to take the steps ordered by the International Court of Justice, to prevent acts of genocide, to prevent and punish the incitement to commit genocide, and to ensure enough aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza. All States are also obligated under international law to take action to prevent and punish genocide. 

57.  There remains a pervasive climate of impunity in relation to gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, some constituting war crimes and possibly other international crimes. No meaningful steps were taken by Israel’s justice system in relation to accountability for violations committed by Israel’s officials and/or settlers. Further, the manner in which hostilities were conducted by Israeli forces in Gaza has been emblematic of what comes with pervasive impunity. There must also be accountability for serious violations of international law, including possible international crimes, by Hamas and its armed wing, Al Qassam Brigades as well as other Palestinian armed groups. 

58. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces, including lethal force; the widespread arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians in detention; and the extensive unlawful demolition of Palestinian homes, is undertaken with impunity and used to systematically discriminate, oppress, control and dominate the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem,134 amounting to a violation of Article 3 of the ICERD, which prohibits racial segregation and apartheid.135 These violations, together with pervasive and growing settler violence committed with impunity,136 are fundamental to the coercive environment that induces forced displacement and forcible transfer,137 which is a war crime,138 altering the character, status and demographic composition of the occupied West Bank, raising serious concerns of ethnic cleansing. 

59. Considered together, Israeli practices across Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, indicated a concerted and accelerating effort to consolidate annexation of large parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to deny Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

60. In line with the International Court of Justice’s ruling, Israel must end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible.

61. Efforts to reach lasting peace, including the implementation of the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,”139 need to include steps to ensure accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by all duty bearers. Justice for victims must lay the foundation for the reconstruction of Gaza. Duty bearers must ensure Palestinians’ immediate participation in governance structures to determine and shape the reconstruction of Gaza and to ensure that two states can exist side-by-side in a human rights-compliant manner. Palestinians’ right to self-determination must not be delayed and made contingent on vague and indeterminate conditions. 

62. The High Commissioner urges meaningful action on his previous calls140 upon Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and, as applicable, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, including to prevent, repress and punish all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of international human rights law.

63. The High Commissioner reiterates his calls upon States to pursue accountability through the exercise universal jurisdiction to try crimes under international law in national courts, consistent with international standards, and through cooperation with the International Criminal Court further to the Rome Statute, and to encourage Israel to cooperate in good faith with the United Nations, including OHCHR, in line with the International Court of Justice’s ruling of 22 October 225.  

64.  He also calls upon all States to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel facilitating violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.   

Article in UN News on 19 February 2026:

  

Fears of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank: UN rights report

A boy walks through a destroyed neighbourhood in Gaza City.

© UNICEF/Omar Al-Qattaa A boy walks through a destroyed neighbourhood in Gaza City  

19 February 2026 Human Rights

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.