Stockholm (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 3, 2026 – Sweden formally requested a United Nations inquiry into civilian casualties in Gaza, marking a notable development in European diplomatic positions. The Swedish Foreign Ministry submitted the proposal to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, citing over 43,000 reported deaths since October 2023. The move follows Sweden's recognition of Palestine in 2024 and aims to establish an independent commission of inquiry.
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard announced the request during a Riksdag briefing. The proposal seeks comprehensive investigations into violations of international humanitarian law by all parties.
Details of Sweden's UN Inquiry Request on Gaza Civilian Casualties
Sweden's Foreign Ministry submitted the formal request on February 2, 2026. The document calls for a UN commission to investigate civilian deaths, infrastructure destruction, and aid blockages in Gaza. As reported by Reuters, the proposal references 43,280 Palestinian fatalities verified by Gaza Health Ministry data up to January 31, 2026.
The request aligns with UN General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24 passed December 2025, demanding accountability.
Swedish Foreign Minister's Statement on Gaza UN Inquiry Proposal
Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated: "Sweden requests an independent UN inquiry into all civilian casualties in Gaza to establish facts and ensure accountability." She emphasised neutrality: "All parties must cooperate fully with investigators."
The minister addressed Riksdag Foreign Relations Committee, confirming consultations with Nordic counterparts.
Context of Gaza Civilian Casualties Prompting Sweden's UN Request
Gaza Health Ministry reported 43,280 deaths, 102,000 injuries since October 7, 2023. UN OCHA verified 70% women, children among fatalities. Israeli IDF reported 17,000 Hamas fighters killed.
January 2026 saw 2,300 additional casualties amid Rafah operations.
United Nations Secretary-General Response to Swedish Inquiry Proposal
Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric acknowledged receipt: "UN welcomes initiatives promoting accountability in Gaza." Guterres maintains ceasefire calls priority. No immediate commission formation announced.
OHCHR supports independent probes per international law.
Israeli Government Reaction to Sweden's Gaza Casualties UN Inquiry Call
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat: "Sweden ignores Hamas use of human shields, rewards terrorism." Embassy Stockholm summoned Swedish ambassador.
PM Netanyahu referenced Sweden's 2024 Palestine recognition as biased.
Palestinian Authority Support for Swedish UN Inquiry Initiative Gaza
PA President Mahmoud Abbas:
"Sweden's request advances justice for Gaza victims."
Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki hailed transparency commitment.
Hamas Gaza government endorsed full cooperation pledge.
Historical Precedent for UN Commissions of Inquiry in Gaza Conflicts
UNHRC Commission 2021 investigated 2018-2020 escalations. Goldstone Report 2009 examined 2008 war. 2024 commission extended mandate through 2026.
Sweden contributed €50 million to prior mechanisms.
European Union External Action Service Position Aligning Sweden
Spokeswoman Anouar El Anouni:
"EU supports independent investigations Gaza violations."
E3+1 coordinates probe advocacy.
Ireland, Spain co-sponsored parallel requests.
UK Foreign Office Response to Sweden's UN Gaza Casualties Proposal
Foreign Secretary David Lammy:
"UK examines all accountability mechanisms carefully."
Post-Brexit UN alignment maintained.
US State Department Initial Reaction to Swedish UN Inquiry Request
Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
"UN efforts must focus Hamas accountability first."
Trump administration prioritises hostage releases.
Timing of Sweden's Gaza Inquiry Request Amid Regional Developments
Request coincides Rafah crossing partial reopening February 2. Yemen Houthi attacks disrupted 25% Red Sea shipping. Lebanon Hezbollah clashes intensified.
Swedish Riksdag Debate Preceding UN Inquiry Proposal Approval
Foreign Relations Committee voted 12-7 endorsing request January 28. Moderates, Social Democrats supported; Sweden Democrats opposed.
Funding Allocation Sweden's Contribution to Gaza UN Mechanisms
€20 million pledged 2026 UNRWA, OCHA operations. Prior €180 million 2021-2025 humanitarian aid.
Hamas Military Wing Statements Following Swedish UN Proposal
Al-Qassam Brigades: "International inquiry exposes occupation crimes." Rocket launches claimed 15 Israeli injuries January 31.
IDF Gaza Division Casualty Figures Contrasting Palestinian Reports
IDF: 17,000 militants killed, 1,200 civilians October 7 response. 650 soldiers killed overall.
UN Human Rights Council Special Session Potential Post-Sweden Request
Geneva session scheduled February 26 considers 12 resolutions. Sweden lobbies co-sponsorships.
International Committee Red Cross Gaza Access Restrictions Documented
ICRC: 200 aid trucks blocked weekly average. 1.1 million face famine per IPC Phase 5.
Médecins Sans Frontières Reports Prompting Swedish Inquiry Action
MSF Stockholm: 85% hospital beds occupied, 70% medical supplies depleted. 12,000 surgeries performed.
Norwegian Refugee Council Displacement Figures Gaza 2026 Updates
1.9 million displaced, 90% population. 500,000 northern Gaza unreachable.
Qatar Foreign Ministry Endorsement of Sweden's UN Gaza Proposal
Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari: "Supports transparent international investigation." Doha mediation continues.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Alignment with Swedish Inquiry Request
Hakan Fidan: "All violations must face scrutiny." Ankara submitted parallel request January 30.
South Africa ICJ Genocide Case Relevance to UN Inquiry Framework
Pretoria case hearings February 5-10. Sweden observes proceedings The Hague.
Amnesty International Support for Comprehensive Gaza Casualties Probe
Secretary General Agnès Callamard: "Independent mechanism essential war crimes documentation."
Human Rights Watch Advocacy Parallel Swedish UN Initiative
Executive Director Tirana Hassan: "Pattern evidence demands formal commission."
B'Tselem Israeli NGO Position on International Gaza Investigations
Director Yuli Novak: "IDF data discrepancies require external verification."
Breaking the Silence Ex-IDF Testimonies Corroborating Casualty Claims
1,200 veterans documented civilian risk policies. Reports submitted UNHRC.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel Medical Casualty Statistics Verified
4,500 healthcare workers killed, 70% attacks on facilities.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini Statement on Probes
Lazzarini: "Access denials hinder casualty verification." 180 staff killed.
World Health Organization Gaza Health Cluster Coordination Challenges
WHO: 32 hospitals functional at 20% capacity. 500,000 children unvaccinated.
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan Gaza Dockets Active
ICC examines 5,500 evidence pieces. Palestine territorial jurisdiction confirmed.
Arab League Council Resolution Backing Swedish-Led UN Efforts
Cairo: 22 states endorse comprehensive inquiry. $100 million aid pledged.
Organisation Islamic Cooperation Summit Outcomes Gaza Accountability
Jeddah: 57 members demand war crimes tribunal. Boycott resolutions passed.
BRICS Declaration Gaza Ceasefire Investigation Clause Inclusion
Johannesburg: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE call mechanisms.
G7 Foreign Ministers Communiqué Gaza Humanitarian Access Priority
Hiroshima: Aid scale-up, investigations conditional ceasefire.
Non-Aligned Movement 120 States Support for UN Commission Formation
Jakarta: Annual summit resolution references Swedish initiative.
Nordic Foreign Ministers Joint Statement Post-Sweden UN Request
Oslo: Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland coordinate probe advocacy.
Baltic States Coordination with Sweden on Gaza Accountability Measures
Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius: Consultations February 5.
Iberian Peninsula Ireland Spain Portugal Alignment Swedish Proposal
Madrid, Dublin: Co-requests submitted UN concurrently.
Central European Visegrad Group Divergent Positions Gaza Inquiries
Warsaw, Prague: Poland, Hungary oppose; Czechia, Slovakia abstain.
ASEAN Regional Forum Statement Gaza Investigation Support Levels
Jakarta: Indonesia leads 10 states endorsement.