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The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an immediate investigation following reports that Israeli forces “summarily executed” at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in front of their families in Gaza City. If confirmed, the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could amount to war crimes, it said.

According to the UN agency, the incident allegedly occurred when IDF troops took control of the Al Awda building in the Al Remal neighbourhood, where multiple families had sought refuge.

In a statement, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) alleged that the soldiers separated men from women and children before shooting the men.

“While in control of the building and the civilians sheltering there, the IDF allegedly separated the men from the women and children, and then shot and killed at least 11 of the men, mostly aged in their late 20s and early 30s, in front of their family members,” said the UN body.

The women and children were then confined to a room where they were subjected to violence, with some sustaining serious injuries, the OHCHR said.

“The IDF then allegedly ordered the women and children into a room, and either shot at them or threw a grenade into the room, reportedly seriously injuring some of them, including an infant and a child,” it said.

The OHCHR confirmed the killings but added that details and circumstances are “still under verification.” It called for a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into these allegations. The IDF has yet to release a statement regarding the reported incident.

Reports of the deadly raid in Al Remal add to growing concerns over the conduct of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which has seen significant civilian casualties. Top US officials have called on Israel to minimize deaths of civilians as it continues its military operations against Hamas in the enclave.

According to Hamas, at least 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been reported killed since Israel began bombing the territory in the wake of the militant group’s October 7 attacks. The death toll marks the heaviest loss on the Arab side in any conflict with Israel since the 1982 Lebanon invasion.