A senior United Nations investigator has described the Israeli military as “one of the most criminal armies in the world”, citing findings from an independent UN inquiry into alleged violations committed during Israel’s war in Gaza.
Chris Sidoti, a commissioner with the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, made the remarks while presenting the commission’s latest report in Geneva. Responding to repeated assertions by Israeli officials that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is “one of the most moral armies in the world”, Sidoti said the commission’s investigations pointed to a different conclusion.
“I don’t know whether it’s one of the most moral armies in the world or not, but what I do have expertise in is making assessments of criminal conduct,” Sidoti said. “And the only conclusion you can draw is that the Israeli army is one of the most criminal armies in the world.”
The commission’s report alleges widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory, documenting extensive civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure and possible war crimes. It also accuses Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing serious violations, including attacks on civilians, and says accountability is required for all parties.
Israel has rejected the commission’s findings, accusing the UN body of bias and maintaining that its military operations target Hamas while seeking to minimise civilian harm in accordance with international law.
Sidoti said the commission’s findings are intended to support ongoing international accountability efforts, including investigations by the International Criminal Court, as global scrutiny of the Gaza war continues.
#Gaza#Israel#Palestine#UnitedNations#WarCrimes





