Israeli forces kill 14 in Gaza as UN commission says genocide continues

Six-year-old among those killed in past two days as UN investigators accuse Israel of continuing genocidal acts despite ceasefire Palestinians walk along a street between tents and destroyed buildings in western Gaza City, Palestine, on 26 October 2026 (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Reuters) Published date: 27 October 2026 12:55 GMT | Last update: 9 sec ago Israeli forces have killed 14 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip over the past two days, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The latest victim was six-year-old Tahani Mohammad Shalalfah, who was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Tuesday. Local media reported that Israeli tanks fired heavily in the Al-Alam and Al-Shakoush areas west of Rafah, in southern Gaza, while artillery shelling targeted areas in the north. On Monday, Israeli forces bombed a makeshift camp, killing one person. Two members of the security services were also killed and two others wounded during a security mission in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Palestinian health ministry said the death toll since October 2023 had risen to 74,561, including 1,565 people killed since the ceasefire took effect in October 2025. The ceasefire was intended to halt Israel’s genocide in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid into the territory. However, Israel has continued to violate the agreement through daily attacks and restrictions on aid. On Monday, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory said Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza. 'Sexual violence has been used with the intent to displace, subjugate and destabilize the Palestinian people' - UN Commission of Inquiry In its latest report, the commission accused Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including extermination, persecution, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence across the occupied Palestinian territory. “Israeli authorities and forces continue to commit genocidal acts even after the so-called ceasefire agreement, with the intent to destroy the Palestinian people, in whole or in part,” the commission said. It cited the continued use of “heavy and unguided munitions in densely populated areas”, alongside drones, quadcopters and sniper fire, resulting in the systematic destruction of civilian life and objects. The report also said the so-called Yellow Line, initially established as a temporary ceasefire demarcation, had become “a steadily encroaching de facto border”, reflecting Israel’s expanding territorial control over Gaza. Gaza strategy ‘imported’ to West Bank In the occupied West Bank, the commission warned of the “import of the Gaza strategy of total destruction”. ‘We left with heavy hearts’: Israel’s assault displaces thousands in Hebron Read More » Through military assaults reinforced by sustained settler violence, Israel “has waged a widespread and systematic attack against civilians since 7 October 2023” in the territory, the report said. “Torture, reproductive violence, rape and other forms of sexual violence form part of the broader attack directed against the civilian population in the West Bank. Sexual violence has been used with the intent to displace, subjugate and destabilize the Palestinian people,” it said. The commission also accused Israeli forces of deliberately killing Palestinian children and inflicting serious physical and mental harm on them in the occupied West Bank, as in Gaza, amounting to age-based persecution. It called for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and the removal of all settlers and settlements. “Essentially, Israel should end and reverse confiscation and appropriation of Palestinian property and reservation of Palestinian land for military purposes and return all confiscated land to its Palestinian owners,” the commission added. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.