A UN investigation has found that the Israeli Defence Forces may have committed war crimes during last year's protests in Gaza.

The report, released today, found that over 6,000 unarmed demonstrators were shot by Israeli snipers during the weekly  "Great March of Return" protests last year.

At least 189 people were killed by the gunfire - including 35 children.

A further 3,098 Palestinians were injured by bullet fragmentation, rubber-coated metal bullets or by hits from tear gas canisters.

Four Israeli soldiers were injured at the demonstrations.

The independent commission of inquiry found reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers shot at journalists, health workers, children and persons with disabilities, knowing they were "clearly recognizable as such."

It also found that reasonable grounds to believe the soldier "killed and injured civilians who were neither directly participating in hostilities, nor posing an imminent threat."

Both actions can be considered war crimes or crimes against humanity under international law.

COI Commissioners (from left to right): Kaari Betty Murungi, Santiago Canton (Chair) and Sara Hossain. Image: OHCHR

The chair of the commission Santiago Canton said: “The Commission has reasonable grounds to believe that during the Great March of Return, Israeli soldiers committed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

"Some of those violations may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, and must be immediately investigated by Israel.”

Image: OHCHR

This morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "rejects outright" the findings of the report.

"The council is setting new records for hypocrisy and mendacity, out of an obsessive hatred of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East," he said.

"It is Hamas which fires missiles at Israeli citizens, throws explosive devices and carries out terrorist activity during the violent demonstrations along the fence.

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, 27-02-2019. Image: DPA/PA Images

Israel will not allow Hamas to attack Israel's sovereignty and its people, and will maintain the right of self-defence."

The commission investigated every killing at the protests from when they began until the 31st December 2018.

Commission representative Sarah Hossain said: “There can be no justification for killing and injuring journalists, medics, and persons who pose no imminent threat of death or serious injury to those around them."

"Particularly alarming is the targeting of children and persons with disabilities,” she said.

“Many young persons’ lives have been altered forever. 122 people have had a limb amputated since 30 March last year. Twenty of these amputees are children.”

Palestinian paramedics carry a wounded man during the "Great March of Return" protests, 11-05-2018. Image: Xinhua/Khaled Omar

As part of its investigation, the Commission examined the Israeli claim that the protests masked “terror activities” by Palestinian armed groups.

It found that the demonstrations were civilian in nature, with clearly stated political aims.

It did found that some protest organisers, including Hamas representatives, encouraged the use of indiscriminate incendiary kites and balloons - which caused fear and damage to property in southern Israel.

It found that Hamas, "as the de facto authority in Gaza, failed to prevent these acts."

Palestinians protesters during the "Great March of Return," 21-12-2018. Image: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Sipa USA

“The onus is now on Israel to investigate every protest-related killing and injury, promptly, impartially and independently in accordance with international standards, to determine whether war crimes or crimes against humanity were committed, with a view to holding accountable those found responsible,” said Mr Canton.

“We also urge the organisers, the demonstrators and the de facto authorities in Gaza to ensure that the Great March of Return is entirely peaceful as it is intended to be.”

“The Commission finds that these protests were a call for help from a population in despair.”