(MENAFN) Three commissioners from the United Nations panel probing alleged violations in the occupied Palestinian territories have unexpectedly stepped down, citing personal reasons.

Navi Pillay, Chris Sidoti, and Miloon Kothari—all members of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry—submitted their resignations on Monday.

According to the UN Human Rights Council, the trio indicated the need for fresh leadership within the commission and referenced personal factors, including age, as influencing their departure.

Formed to investigate potential breaches of international law in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the commission’s work has gained increased scrutiny in recent weeks.

These departures coincide with escalating disputes between the UN and the United States concerning Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories.

The US government has imposed sanctions on Albanese, accusing her of advancing “antisemitic” and “anti-Israel” rhetoric and advocating for the International Criminal Court to take action against both the US and Israel.

Earlier, the US had demanded Albanese’s removal, issuing a stern warning on July 1 that failure to do so would undermine the UN’s credibility and trigger US measures.

In response, the UN’s Special Procedures Committee strongly condemned the US sanctions, branding the move as unacceptable.

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