UN Report on Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces in Gaza War: Controversy and Denials

The recent United Nations report accusing Israel of sexual violence during the Gaza war has sparked significant controversy and debate. The report, released by the UN-backed Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, alleges that Israeli security forces systematically used sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians during the conflict with Hamas. This accusation has been met with strong denial and condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who dismissed the report as biased and anti-Israel.

UN Report Findings

The UN report is one of the most detailed investigations into such allegations since the war began on October 7, 2023. It documents a range of violations allegedly committed by Israeli security forces against Palestinian men, women, and children. The findings could potentially be used as evidence in international legal cases, including at the International Criminal Court. The report also highlights the widespread destruction of Gaza, the use of heavy explosives in civilian areas, and Israeli attacks on hospitals and health facilities, which disproportionately affected women and children.

Netanyahu’s Response

Netanyahu’s response to the report has been vehement. He labeled the Human Rights Council, the UN body responsible for commissioning the team of independent experts, as an “anti-Israel circus” that supports terrorism. He argued that the council has long been exposed as an antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant body. Netanyahu’s statement did not address the specific findings of the report but focused on discrediting the credibility of the Human Rights Council.

Allegations of Sexual Violence

The allegations of sexual violence are particularly grave. The report accuses Israeli security forces of committing rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. It also claims that Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination. The commission’s findings suggest that these acts were either carried out under explicit orders or with implicit encouragement by Israel’s top civilian and military leadership.

Israel’s Denial

Israel has denied any systematic abuse of prisoners and insists that it takes action against violations when they occur. The Israeli mission in Geneva rejected the allegations, accusing the commission of relying on second-hand, single, uncorroborated sources. Since the commission’s formation in 2021, Israel has refused to cooperate with its investigations, citing bias.

Context of the Gaza War

The war in Gaza began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israeli authorities have accused Hamas-led militants of widespread rape and sexual violence during the conflict. The war has resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction, with both sides accusing each other of committing war crimes.

The UN report’s allegations of sexual violence by Israeli security forces during the Gaza war have intensified the already complex and contentious debate surrounding the conflict. While the report provides detailed documentation of alleged violations, Israel’s strong denial and accusations of bias against the Human Rights Council highlight the deep divisions and challenges in addressing these serious allegations. The findings of the report could have significant implications for international legal proceedings and efforts to bring justice to the victims of the conflict.