The warning comes in a new OHCHR report released on Thursday, covering the period from November 2024 to October 2025.

The report, based on UN monitoring and information from governments, humanitarian organisations and civil society, says the “methodical destruction” of neighbourhoods in Gaza and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid appear aimed at producing a “permanent demographic shift” in the enclave.

Combined with the widespread forcible transfer of civilians, the developments “raise concerns over ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank”.

The report documents unprecedented levels of civilian casualties, ongoing famine conditions and the collapse of remaining public infrastructure in Gaza. Hospitals, schools and residential areas have continued to come under heavy bombardment.

According to figures from Gaza’s health authorities, verified by OHCHR, at least 25 594 Palestinians were killed and 68 837 injured during the reporting period alone. Since the start of the conflict on October 7 2023, more than 68 800 Palestinians have been killed and over 170 664 injure, with the true toll likely higher due to bodies still buried under rubble.

The report says the conditions imposed on Palestinians are “increasingly incompatible with their continued existence in Gaza as a group”. It warns that Israeli attacks often appeared to target civilians or civilian objects, or were launched despite the expectation of excessive civilian harm, which would constitute war crimes.

At least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, starved to death during the reporting period. OHCHR says the famine and malnutrition crisis was “the direct result of actions taken by the Israeli Government”, including blocking aid entry and distribution. Starvation as a method of war is a war crime and may constitute crimes against humanity or, if the intent to destroy a group can be demonstrated, genocide.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–