Kuwait city: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, has issued a warning regarding the Israeli government's intentions to establish permanent control over the Gaza Strip and ensure a Jewish majority in the West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories (OPTs).
According to Kuwait News Agency, in a recent report released in Geneva, Commission Chair Navi Pillay expressed concern over the Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich's plan to annex 82 percent of the occupied West Bank. The report also highlighted the approval of a plan to expand the E1 settlement, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating this will negate the possibility of a Palestinian State. Pillay emphasized that these developments support the Commission's findings on Israeli expansion in the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians, which Israeli officials now openly declare as a policy goal.
The report identified six Israeli ministers as likely bearing responsibility for international crimes related to land and housing, as well as other crimes identified in previous reports. Former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant and current Minister of Defence Israel Katz are cited for actions by Israeli security forces in Gaza, while Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of Settlements and National Projects Orit Strock are held accountable for settlement construction and expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Minister for National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir is accused of mistreating Palestinian detainees, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deemed ultimately responsible for the Israeli occupation's actions in the OPT, including ordering acts that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The commission also stated that Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence Galant are responsible for incitement to genocide.
The Commission reported that the Israeli occupation has extensively destroyed civilian infrastructure in Gaza, expanding control to 75 percent of the Strip by July 2025, severely undermining Palestinians' right to self-determination. The destruction and forced transfer of residents were described as acts of genocide aimed at destroying the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Pillay stressed the need for Israel to cease land confiscations in Gaza, return confiscated lands to Palestinian owners, and halt the creation and expansion of buffer zones and corridors. The report noted that since October 2023, Israeli occupation policies in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have shown clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand Jewish settlements, and annex the territory, blocking Palestinian statehood and encouraging settler violence.
The Commission documented Israeli military operations in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps, which altered landscapes by destroying infrastructure and displacing residents. It also noted laws and policies inside Israel that restrict Palestinian towns and deepen socio-economic barriers.
The Commission urged Israel to cease genocide in Gaza, comply with the International Court of Justice's provisional measures and advisory opinion, end the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, dismantle settlements, and repeal discriminatory land and housing policies. The report will be presented to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on October 28, 2025. Earlier this month, the Commission accused Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza, reiterating that responsibility lies with Israel as a State.