FOR the people of Gaza, despite the ‘ceasefire’ reached last October, the genocide never really ceased. This grim truth has recently been validated by the findings of a UN inquiry report. As per the report of the UN’s International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel has been committing “genocidal acts with the genocidal intent to destroy … the Palestinians in Gaza” despite the truce. Its findings for the West Bank are equally disturbing. The probe has found that the Israeli military and extremist settlers were involved in “widespread and systemic” attacks against the West Bank’s civilians. “The commission concludes that the Israeli authorities and forces have committed … crimes against humanity” in the West Bank. Despite Israel’s claim that the probe is an attempt to ‘demonise’ it, such damning findings from a credible nonpartisan body can hardly be questioned.

Many had felt that last year’s ceasefire — reached with the blessings of the Trump administration — would only slow down the slaughter of Palestinians without ending it or holding Israel to account. These findings have confirmed those fears. Over 1,500 people have been murdered in Gaza since the ceasefire, while millions in the Strip face famine. Moreover, Israel is cementing its illegal occupation of the Strip. Nor should there be any expectations of improvement in Palestinians’ conditions following Tuesday’s elections. Whether it is the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — the architect of the Gaza genocide — who forms the next government in Israel, or his main rival Gadi Eisenkot, the Palestinians can expect more of the same. In light of the findings of the latest UN report, the Muslim states and others who helped broker the ceasefire must ask the US why mass killings in Gaza continue despite an apparent truce. This murderous campaign against the Palestinian people must end now.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026