At a press conference discussing a new report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the head of the commission said that the Israeli military has committed war crimes, intentional killings, and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

According to the head of the commission, more than 90 percent of educational institutions in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and children have been deprived of their right to education. She described these actions as part of a broad and relentless assault on the Palestinian people.

Navi Pillay, chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry, stated: “Our report concludes that Israel essentially obliterated the education system in Gaza. More than 90 percent of schools and university buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, creating conditions where education for children has been made impossible. These attacks were part of a widespread and relentless assault against the Palestinian people, in which Israeli forces have committed war crimes, including directing attacks against civilians, and willful killing, and the crime against humanity of extermination.”

Another commissioner from the UN inquiry emphasized that responsibility for these crimes lies both with commanders and direct perpetrators. He warned that individuals responsible for war crimes must be held accountable in the future.

Chris Sidoti, a commissioner with the UN inquiry, said: “Those in leadership positions command positions, bear responsibility for what those under their command do. But accountability also has individual elements. And I think it's only fair that we emphasize to those individuals involved the nature of the responsibility that they bear and the accountability that may face them in the future.”

Israel has been accused by the UN of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity while continuing its daily assaults on Gaza. According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, over 55,630 Palestinians have been killed and another 129,880 injured.