Crimes against humanity

Probe finds both sides broke international law

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAEL and Hamas both committed war crimes, a UN probe found amid the devastating Gaza conflict that is killing thousands of innocent civilians.

Damning reports suggest both have carried out torture, cruelty and hostage taking - grave violations of international law since the horrific Hamas attack on October 7 that sparked the fighting.

Israel's alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity include starvation, arbitrary detention and killing and maiming "tens of thousands of children".

Both Benjamin Netanyahu's forces and Hamas committed sexual violence and intentionally attacked civilians, according to the lengthy report.

Findings were based on a combination of interviews with victims and witnesses, open-source items, satellite imagery, medical reports and media coverage.

Israel previously refused to co-operate with the inquiry and it has now accused it of "attempting to justify" Hamas's actions as well as being anti-Israeli.