Geneva: The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory stated that Israeli occupation forces have severely damaged Gaza's education system and over half of its religious and cultural sites.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the commission's report highlighted that Israeli forces have committed war crimes by targeting civilians and educational facilities, resulting in civilian casualties. The report accused Israeli security forces of committing crimes against humanity by killing civilians who were sheltering in schools and religious sites.
The investigation revealed that Israeli forces employed airstrikes, shelling, burning, and controlled demolitions, leading to the destruction of over 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza. This has left more than 658,000 children without education for 20 months.
Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission, expressed concerns about a systematic campaign to dismantle Palestinian life in Gaza, warning of the long-term impact on Palestinian generations' right to self-determination due to the targeting of educational, cultural, and religious life.
The Commission documented deliberate acts of burning and demolition of educational facilities by Israeli forces, with soldiers reportedly recording and distributing videos mocking Palestinians before destroying schools and universities. These actions were seen as an intent to deny Palestinians access to education.
Significant evidence was found of Israeli forces using educational facilities as military bases, including transforming part of Al-Azhar University's Al-Mughraqa campus into a synagogue for troops.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the education system has been affected by military operations, student harassment, and increased checkpoints, impacting over 806,000 Palestinian students. Military raids and harassment at Al-Aqsa Mosque have limited Palestinian access, while Jewish worshipper presence has increased.
The Commission emphasized that these actions occur in the context of Israel's illegal occupation, settlement expansion, and disregard for international law. The destruction of heritage sites and restricted access in the West Bank erode Palestinians' historical ties and collective identity.
The Commission recommended that Israeli authorities halt settlement activities, cease attacks on educational, religious, and cultural institutions, and end the military use of these sites. The report is set to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.