Updates on allegations of sexual violence in Israel

• Guterres expressed concern about the documented instances of violence against Palestinians
• Danon called the allegations unfounded
• The issue of sexual violence remains relevant in the conflict

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres previously warned Israel about the possible inclusion of its armed forces in the upcoming UN report on sexual violence. In a letter to Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, he expressed serious documented instances regarding human rights violations, which are claimed to have been committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians in several detention centers, holding facilities, and military bases.

Guterres noted that due to Israel's persistent refusal to grant access to UN monitors, it was difficult to produce additional conclusions about the systemic nature of sexual violence. He urged the Israeli authorities to take immediate measures to halt all acts of sexual violence and conduct investigations into credible allegations of such abuses.

In response to these allegations, Danon characterized them as baseless and suggested that the UN should focus on the atrocities committed by Hamas, including incidents of sexual violence during the attack on July 7, 2023. According to Israeli sources, during this attack, nearly 1,200 people were killed, and around 250 were taken hostage.

In the meantime, UN experts have accused Israel of systematically applying sexual violence, including torture and other forms of gender-based abuse. This has triggered international reactions and new calls to act from human rights advocates.

Tags: Middle East/Crime