UN Chief Cites 'Credible Evidence' of Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces Against Palestinians
Secretary-General urges Israel to investigate allegations and ensure immediate cessation of sexual violence
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Secretary-General has warned Israel about 'credible information' concerning allegations of sexual violence and other violations perpetrated by Israeli forces against detained Palestinians.
This statement, however, has been dismissed by Israel's UN ambassador as 'baseless accusations.'
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his 'grave concern' over the reported violations that allegedly occur in several prisons, a detention center, and a military base against Palestinians by Israeli military and security forces.
According to Guterres, there is significant concern regarding patterns of sexual violence documented consistently by the United Nations, leading him to put Israeli forces on notice for potential inclusion as abusers in his upcoming report on sexual violence in conflict zones.
In response, Ambassador Danny Danon, who circulated both the letter and his rebuttal, argued that these allegations are 'steeped in biased publications.' He called for the UN's focus to shift towards addressing the war crimes and sexual violence allegedly committed by Hamas during their surprise attack on southern Israel in October 2023.
This attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken, with Israeli authorities reporting cases of rape and sexual abuse against women.
The conflict, which has led to more than 61,400 Palestinian fatalities according to Gaza's Health Ministry, has sparked significant international concern.
The ministry reports that approximately half of the casualties were women and children, though it remains unclear how many were combatants or civilians.
Danon emphasized Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens and adherence to international law.
However, access restrictions imposed by Israel on UN monitors have complicated efforts to make a definitive assessment of the systematic use of sexual violence by Israeli forces.
Guterres urged Israel's government to take immediate action to halt all acts of sexual violence and to implement specific measures including investigations into credible allegations, clear directives against sexual violence within military and security forces, and unimpeded access for UN monitors.
In March, a UN-backed commission accused Israel of 'systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence' against Palestinians.
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory documented a range of violations targeting Palestinians of all ages and accused Israeli security forces of committing rape and other acts of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees.
In response to these findings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the UN Human Rights Council as an 'anti-Israel circus,' describing it as antisemitic and irrelevant.
This statement, however, has been dismissed by Israel's UN ambassador as 'baseless accusations.'
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his 'grave concern' over the reported violations that allegedly occur in several prisons, a detention center, and a military base against Palestinians by Israeli military and security forces.
According to Guterres, there is significant concern regarding patterns of sexual violence documented consistently by the United Nations, leading him to put Israeli forces on notice for potential inclusion as abusers in his upcoming report on sexual violence in conflict zones.
In response, Ambassador Danny Danon, who circulated both the letter and his rebuttal, argued that these allegations are 'steeped in biased publications.' He called for the UN's focus to shift towards addressing the war crimes and sexual violence allegedly committed by Hamas during their surprise attack on southern Israel in October 2023.
This attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths and about 250 hostages taken, with Israeli authorities reporting cases of rape and sexual abuse against women.
The conflict, which has led to more than 61,400 Palestinian fatalities according to Gaza's Health Ministry, has sparked significant international concern.
The ministry reports that approximately half of the casualties were women and children, though it remains unclear how many were combatants or civilians.
Danon emphasized Israel’s commitment to protecting its citizens and adherence to international law.
However, access restrictions imposed by Israel on UN monitors have complicated efforts to make a definitive assessment of the systematic use of sexual violence by Israeli forces.
Guterres urged Israel's government to take immediate action to halt all acts of sexual violence and to implement specific measures including investigations into credible allegations, clear directives against sexual violence within military and security forces, and unimpeded access for UN monitors.
In March, a UN-backed commission accused Israel of 'systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence' against Palestinians.
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory documented a range of violations targeting Palestinians of all ages and accused Israeli security forces of committing rape and other acts of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees.
In response to these findings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the UN Human Rights Council as an 'anti-Israel circus,' describing it as antisemitic and irrelevant.
