Ramallah, June 10, 2026: A newly released United Nations report has accused Hamas-affiliated militants and security forces in Gaza of carrying out widespread abuses against Palestinians during the conflict with Israel, including public executions, torture, severe beatings, and other acts that may constitute war crimes.
The findings, published by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, document hundreds of alleged incidents involving extrajudicial punishments between August 2024 and January 2026 in the war-torn Palestinian territory.
UN Documents Hundreds of Abuse Cases
According to the report, investigators reviewed 249 incidents involving various forms of punishment, including at least 108 deaths. The abuses reportedly included public shootings, beatings with metal objects, deliberate bone fractures, and other violent punishments carried out without judicial proceedings.
The report states that many of the victims were accused of collaborating with Israel, stealing humanitarian aid, engaging in criminal activities, or supporting rival political groups.
Investigators concluded that a significant portion of the documented incidents involved Hamas-linked armed groups and police units operating in Gaza during the conflict.
Public Executions Allegedly Used to Spread Fear
Among the most serious allegations are claims that several executions were conducted publicly to intimidate local residents and reinforce control in areas affected by the war.
The report references incidents in which individuals accused of espionage or collaboration were reportedly executed in public spaces before crowds of onlookers. In some cases, videos of the incidents were allegedly circulated to amplify their impact.
UN investigators argue that such actions violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights protections, including the rights to life, liberty, security, and a fair trial.
Governance Vacuum Created During Conflict
The report suggests that the collapse of normal governance structures and extensive wartime destruction created conditions that enabled armed factions to exercise authority through coercive measures.
According to the UN commission, punishments were frequently imposed outside formal legal processes and carried out by security units and armed groups rather than independent judicial institutions.
The investigation also noted that some victims included political opponents, anti-Hamas activists, and individuals associated with local groups that emerged in areas where Hamas’ control weakened during the conflict.
Hospitals Allegedly Used as Punishment Sites
Witness testimonies cited in the report indicate that some abuses took place within or around medical facilities, including hospital compounds in southern Gaza.
However, investigators stated that the documented incidents did not alter the protected status of healthcare facilities under international law. The issue remains sensitive because Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes, an allegation that Hamas has denied.
Wider Concerns Over Human Rights Violations
The report also examined developments beyond Gaza, criticizing an increase in violence involving Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
UN officials expressed concern over the displacement of Palestinian communities, expansion of Israeli settlements, and ongoing clashes that have contributed to rising casualties in the territory.
According to UN figures cited in the report, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in incidents involving Israeli security forces or settlers in the West Bank since the outbreak of the broader conflict.
Hamas Yet to Respond
Representatives of Hamas had not publicly responded to the report’s findings at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities also did not immediately comment on sections of the report addressing settlement activity and violence in the West Bank.
International Scrutiny Intensifies
The latest findings add to growing international scrutiny of all parties involved in the conflict. Human rights organizations and UN bodies continue to investigate allegations of violations committed throughout the war, which has caused extensive destruction, mass displacement, and significant civilian casualties.
As diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region continue, the report is expected to intensify debate over accountability, wartime conduct, and the protection of civilians in both Gaza and the West Bank.
The UN has called for thorough investigations into alleged abuses and emphasized the importance of upholding international humanitarian law regardless of the parties involved in the conflict.
