The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has informed Israel of "credible information" regarding sexual violence and other violations allegedly committed by Israeli forces against detained Palestinians. This information prompted a letter to Israel's UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, expressing grave concern over the reported abuses.
Guterres highlighted that the reported violations occurred in several prisons, a detention center, and a military base. He warned that Israeli forces could be listed as perpetrators in his upcoming report on sexual violence in conflict, citing significant concerns about consistent patterns of certain forms of sexual violence documented by the UN.
Ambassador Danon dismissed the allegations as "baseless accusations," emphasizing that the UN should focus on the war crimes and sexual violence committed by Hamas, and the release of hostages. He referenced the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas in southern Israel, which resulted in numerous deaths and the taking of hostages.
The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas attack, has resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties. Danon asserted that Israel would continue to protect its citizens while acting in accordance with international law.
Guterres acknowledged the difficulty in making definitive determinations about patterns of sexual violence due to restricted access for UN monitors. He urged the Israeli government to take immediate action to cease all acts of sexual violence, including investigations of credible allegations, clear codes of conduct for military and security forces, and unrestricted access for UN monitors.
In March, UN-backed human rights experts accused Israel of the systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and other gender-based violence. The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory documented various violations against Palestinian individuals, including allegations of rape and sexual violence by Israeli security forces. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the UN Human Rights Council, which commissioned the team of experts, but did not address the findings directly.
5 Comments
Africa
It's wrong to lump Israel in with terrorist organizations like Hamas. There is a big moral difference.
Raphael
This confirms what many have suspected for a long time. Justice for the Palestinians!
Donatello
The situation on the ground is complex. This needs to be investigated fairly, without bias.
Michelangelo
The UN consistently singles out Israel. Where is the condemnation of Hamas's atrocities?
Muchacha
Regardless of the Hamas attack, this cannot be dismissed. Justice is necessary.