Israel added to UN blacklist over conflict-related sexual violence: Report

Israel has for the first time been added to a United Nations blacklist of parties accused of committing sexual violence in conflict zones, following a report from the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres that documented verified cases involving Israeli forces.

The report verified 31 cases of sexual violence allegedly perpetrated by Israeli military, police, and prison personnel against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The cases included 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl, reports the BBC.

The documented violations included rape, gang rape, forced nudity, and violence to genitals, according to the report. It said the findings reflect specific patterns of abuse rather than a comprehensive account of all incidents.

The report stated that its investigation faced obstruction, including limited access and threats made against detainees, which it said hindered reporting of alleged abuses.

One cited case involved the Sde Teiman Detention Facility, where leaked CCTV footage reportedly showed five guards abusing a detainee from Gaza. A doctor reportedly found corroborating rectal injuries, though Israel's top military lawyer later dropped the charges against the guards in March 2024.

The report and associated findings also referenced broader concerns raised by rights bodies. The United Nations Committee Against Torture had previously expressed concern in November over what it described as a "de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture" in Israeli detention facilities.

Separately, research by Action on Armed Violence found that nearly 90% of Israeli military investigations into alleged misconduct since the start of the Gaza war were closed without findings of fault, with only one conviction among 52 cases reviewed.

Israel rejected the allegations and said it would sever ties with the Secretary-General's office. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused Guterres of spreading "antisemitic lies".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also launched a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over its reporting on Palestinian sexual abuse survivors, describing the claims as "distorted lies".

The report noted that Hamas had been included in the conflict-related sexual violence listing last year. It said the UN was unable to fully verify allegations from 12 former hostages due to lack of access to investigators in Gaza.

Separately, Russia was also added to the blacklist for the first time, with the report documenting 310 alleged instances of sexual violence against prisoners and civilians in Ukraine.

Israel and Russia have not yet issued detailed responses to the latest report beyond previously stated positions in related proceedings.