West Bank Casualties: UN Panel Cites 254 Airstrike Deaths

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry released a report on Monday stating that 254 Palestinians died in West Bank airstrikes between October 7, 2023, and September 30, 2026. This figure marks a sharp rise from the six deaths recorded by the panel in that region between 2008 and October 6, 2023. The commission attributed the increase to Israeli military activity and settler violence.

Srinivasan Muralidhar, the chair of the Commission of Inquiry, described the pattern of killing and home destruction as part of a strategy to displace Palestinians. He stated that Israel’s persistent denial of responsibility forms part of a broader effort to impose unliveable conditions on the population. The report accuses Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in both the West Bank and Gaza.

The panel linked the surge in casualties to Operation Iron Wall, which began in January 2025. Airstrikes became more frequent in refugee camps and areas around Jenin, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus following the launch of that operation. The commission characterized the operation as a shift toward widespread destruction of housing and infrastructure, citing the Israel Defense Forces aim to restore operational freedom of action.

Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry rejected the findings, labeling the document a piece of propaganda detached from reality. The ministry claimed the report aimed to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense and legitimize jihadist terrorism against its citizens. The commission also analyzed statements from Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and IDF Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, to assess military intentions.

The report identified four additional verified cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees since March 2025. Two of the victims were from the West Bank. One case involved a male detainee at Megiddo Prison in 2025 who was allegedly blindfolded, forced into nudity, and raped with objects during interrogation. The commission concluded that Israeli authorities committed crimes against humanity involving torture and sexual violence.

The Palestinian Authority faced separate accusations of suppressing political dissent. The panel cited arbitrary arrests, detention, and the targeting of journalists and activists. It reported on the December 2024 killing of a journalism student in Jenin refugee camp, who had documented alleged abuses by security forces. The PA blamed the killing on outlaws, but the commission found that key witnesses had not been asked to testify.

The commission also noted that almost 500 Palestinians have been killed annually in the West Bank since 2022. These figures represent the highest numbers recorded since the UN began collecting data on the topic in 2005. The report stated that the PA violated the right to life and failed to conduct prompt and effective investigations into killings.