Israel put on UN sexual violence in warzones blacklist for first time

Israel Added to UN List for Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones

Israel put on UN sexual violence - For the first time, the United Nations has included Israel on its list of nations linked to sexual violence in war zones, following a report by the office of Secretary General António Guterres. The document cited 31 verified instances of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, with 13 of these occurring in 2025 and the remaining 18 spanning the prior two years. While the UN emphasized that its findings represent "indicative patterns" rather than a complete account, the report highlighted significant concerns about the use of sexual abuse as a tool of control during military operations.

Israel Rejects Claims, Threatens to Cut Ties with UN

Israel has publicly dismissed the allegations, accusing the UN of spreading antisemitic falsehoods. In a sharp response, the country's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized Secretary General António Guterres for his "antisemitic lies" in a statement released on Thursday. This led Israel to declare its intention to sever diplomatic relations with the secretary general’s office until the matter is resolved. The Israeli delegation at the UN has also vowed to withdraw from all interactions with the entity as long as Guterres holds the position.

“Guterres is spreading antisemitic lies,” Danon stated. “We will not engage with his office while he continues to falsely accuse Israel of systematic sexual violence in war zones.”

The report detailed the victims of these incidents, including 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl. The abuses ranged from rape and gang rape to forced nudity and genital violence, committed by Israeli military officers, police personnel, and prison service staff. The UN expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that its efforts to investigate the issue had been hindered by the Israeli government’s restrictions on access to detainees and threats aimed at silencing witnesses.

Previously, Hamas Was Also Added to the List

Earlier this year, Hamas had been placed on the same UN list, with the organization accused of sexual violence against its prisoners. The report mentioned that 12 former hostages from Gaza had made allegations against Hamas captors, though the UN was unable to fully confirm these claims due to limited access to investigation sites. Guterres had warned Israel at the time to address the allegations, stating that the inclusion of Hamas was a "notice" to the country to improve its treatment of Palestinian detainees.

Despite the initial warning, a series of high-profile cases has since suggested a recurring pattern of sexual abuse by Israeli forces. One such incident involved leaked footage from the Sde Teiman detention facility, where five Israeli guards were filmed allegedly abusing a Palestinian detainee. A medical examiner later confirmed injuries consistent with rectal trauma, supporting the claims of sexual violence. However, the Israeli military’s top legal representative dismissed the case in March, dropping charges against the guards under the argument that there was insufficient evidence.

International Concerns Intensify Post-October 7 Attacks

Reports of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees have grown more urgent since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. In November, the UN Committee against Torture expressed deep concern over "organised and widespread torture and ill treatment" of prisoners in Israeli custody, citing a de facto policy of abuse. The committee noted that these allegations have "gravely intensified" in recent months, raising questions about the conditions in detention facilities and the accountability of those responsible.

The situation has drawn further attention from international media. A recent New York Times investigation, based on testimonies from 14 Palestinian survivors, exposed alleged sexual abuse in Israeli detention centers. This report prompted a strong backlash from the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar launching a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. They labeled the findings as "one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against the state of Israel in the modern press," arguing that the report misrepresented the facts.

“[The New York Times] report is a grotesque distortion of reality,” the joint statement read. “We will take legal action to protect Israel’s reputation and ensure its actions are accurately represented.”

Meanwhile, human rights organizations have criticized Israel for its apparent lack of accountability in conflict zones. Action on Armed Violence, a research group, revealed that nearly 90% of Israeli military investigations into wartime crimes had concluded without finding fault or resolving the cases. Out of 52 studied incidents, only one led to a prison conviction, underscoring a perception of impunity among soldiers and officers.

Israel’s military has defended its actions, stating that it investigates "exceptional incidents" during operational activity when there is a suspicion of legal violations. The force claimed its processes comply with both Israeli law and international standards, though critics argue these justifications fail to address the systemic nature of the abuse. The UN report, however, suggests that Israel’s legal framework may not adequately protect detainees from sexual violence, particularly in high-stress environments like war zones.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Debates

Russian armed forces were also blacklisted by the UN for the first time, marking a shift in the organization’s focus on sexual violence in conflict zones. This development highlights the growing scrutiny of military practices across different regions. Yet, the inclusion of Israel in the list has sparked heated debates about the fairness of the UN’s assessment and the role of political bias in shaping its findings.

While the UN asserts that its report is based on verified cases, Israel contends that the organization has overlooked context, such as the security challenges faced by forces in Gaza. The country’s ambassador emphasized that the allegations are part of a broader campaign to tarnish its image, with the UN accused of prioritizing Palestinian grievances over Israeli perspectives. This tension reflects a larger conflict between the international community and Israel over the interpretation of wartime conduct and the protection of detainees.

As the debate continues, the UN’s decision to list Israel on its sexual violence blacklist has set a precedent for future assessments. It underscores the importance of independent investigations and the need for all parties to address allegations of abuse. Whether this step will lead to meaningful reforms or escalate political tensions remains to be seen, but the focus on Israel’s military practices has brought renewed attention to the human rights challenges in conflict zones worldwide.