In a recent report, the United Nations has accused Israel of committing a crime against humanity through its attacks on educational and cultural sites in Gaza. This allegation is outlined in a publication by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, inclusive of East Jerusalem and Israel. The document states that the destruction of these sites violates international human rights laws and could constitute the crime of extermination.
According to the report, the extent of the damage is significant: 403 of 564 school buildings in Gaza were directly hit between October 2023 and February 2025, disrupting educational access for over 658,000 children. The attacks have not only affected educational infrastructure but have also led to civilian casualties, as many school buildings doubled as shelters. The Commission recorded that 612 school staff were killed and 2,769 injured, with an additional 190 university staff casualties.
The report also accuses Israeli forces of seizing educational facilities for military activities, including using a university as a synagogue. The investigation also noted one incident where Hamas repurposed a school for military objectives.
Allegations extend beyond the borders of Gaza. In Israel, both Israeli and Palestinian students reportedly faced harassment for expressing dissent, with a notable focus on female students and educators. This, the UN asserts, violates Articles 18, 19, and 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as protocols outlined by the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Further, the destruction of 77 religious and cultural sites, validated by UNESCO, underscores Israel’s non-compliance with the 1954 Hague Convention and customary international humanitarian law as relates to religious sites in occupied territories.
The report details an incident involving a Greek Orthodox church that suffered an airstrike while housing civilians, resulting in 19 deaths, including 8 children, without prior warning. Moreover, there have been accounts of harassment against worshippers in East Jerusalem.
The UN Commission highlights that while the destruction of educational and cultural properties is not inherently a genocidal act, the evidence suggests a genocidal intent might be inferred from the conduct. Additional violations cited include the acts of directing attacks against civilians and unlawful annexation, which contravene International Court of Justice advisory opinions from 2024.
The Commission calls upon the Palestinian government to protect cultural sites and avoid utilizing civilian objects for military purposes. Conversely, it urges Israel to cease attacks on protected sites, discontinue occupying Palestinian territory, and to respect international norms as stated in the report and subsequent UN communication.