An independent international committee documents 16,000 pieces of evidence of Israel’s crimes in Gaza news

Member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Chris Sidoti, said that the commission found sufficient evidence proving that the Israeli occupation forces committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.

Sidoti explained – in an interview with Al Jazeera – that the investigation of the United Nations Independent Commission into the genocide in Gaza lasted two years, and proved these crimes committed based on evidence collected by the commission itself.

He pointed out that the investigation team collected more than 16,000 items of evidence, including photos and videos, which are verified and linked to witness statements in accordance with United Nations protocols.

The United Nations Human Rights Council established the Independent International Commission of Inquiry into the occupied Palestinian territories – including East Jerusalem and Israel – in May 2021.

According to the spokesman, the committee continues to work in the same way it has adopted during the past four years since its establishment.

This includes talking with witnesses, victims, and other parties with direct knowledge of what happened, in addition to relying on satellite images, video clips, and digital evidence analysis tools.

The committee’s investigations are not limited to describing crimes, but also include determining responsibilities, according to Sidoti, revealing that in many cases the committee identified the Israeli military forces behind the crimes committed.

In other cases, it also identified individuals, leaders, and officials in the Israeli government and army who gave orders to commit these crimes.

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding those who receive the committee’s reports, Sidoti said that the documents are submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, and are also published publicly, and there are no private reports that are not available.

In response to the skepticism expressed by some parties regarding the results of the investigation, the spokesman stressed that criticism is limited to the Israeli government, its representatives, and the United States, while the committee does not receive any comments from parties he described as serious.

Sidoti described the committee’s investigations as intensive, serious, reliable, and reflecting broad acceptance at the global level.

The toll of Palestinian victims has risen to 68,531 martyrs and 170,402 wounded since the beginning of the genocide on October 7, 2023, according to the latest statistics of the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip.