UN experts condemn Israeli attacks on Gaza shelters which caused forced displacement in west bank

The UN has issued a strong condemnation of the continuing Israeli military strikes on makeshift shelters housing Palestinians forced to flee their homes and the growing level of forced displacement caused by violence in the occupied West Bank.

The UN report was published on April 13, 2026 and includes reports of Israeli airstrikes targeting tent encampments in western Gaza City, igniting fires in shelters, killing many civilians and severely harming the vast majority of Gaza’s population, who have been displaced more than once.

This is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Under international law, any action taken against individuals because of the actions of others is considered to be a forcible transfer.

Targeting locations that are known to house displaced persons worsens an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis as people living in tents suffer from starvation, severe winter weather, flooding, and a lack of basic needs. Particularly vulnerable are women and children according to the panel.
Experts also expressed their deep concern about the significant increase in forced displacements experienced throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where more than 36,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced during 2025 as a result of the expanding Israeli settlements and escalating violence towards settlers. The experts highlighted the ongoing violence directed at Palestinian civilians by Israeli military personnel and “Government sponsored terrorist acts by settlers,” resulting in deaths, injuries, harassment and the destruction of homes, farms, and livelihoods.

“The cycle of displacement, terror and deliberate attacks on people has one overarching goal: to render Palestinian life intolerable and permanently remove Palestinians from their land,” said the statement, which added that this demonstrated a broader systematic ethnic cleansing policy.

The experts, including Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, called for Israel to stop all forced displacements and allow safe return of displaced persons and put an end to its illegal occupation. Additionally, the experts called on states to fulfil their legal obligations and refrain from contributing any form of support to Israel.