UN chief puts Israel, Russia 'on notice' over conflict-related sexual violence accusations
The alleged crimes included incidents of genital violence, prolonged forced nudity of captives, and abusive and degrading strip searches aimed at humiliation and interrogation.
More: Russian troops advance in Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin peace summit
In his annual report to the Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence, Guterres put Israel and Russia "on notice" that they could be listed next year among parties "credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence."
The warning resulted from "significant concerns regarding patterns of certain forms of sexual violence that have been consistently documented by the United Nations," he wrote.
Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon described the concerns as baseless accusations.
"The U.N. must focus on the shocking war crimes and sexual violence of Hamas and the release of all hostages. Israel will not shy away from protecting its citizens and will continue to act in accordance with international law," Danon said in a statement.
More: Israel approves plan to take control of Gaza City
Palestinian militants Hamas - whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel triggered the current war in Gaza - were listed in Guterres' report on Tuesday as a group "credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence" in armed conflict.
'We categorically reject all these allegations," senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters, adding in reference to Israeli remarks: 'These are certainly new attempts to use lies to divert attention from the ongoing brutal crimes committed by this fascist government and its army against our people in Gaza."
'CREDIBLE INFORMATION'
In his warning to Israel, Guterres said he was "gravely concerned about credible information of violations by Israeli armed and security forces" against Palestinians in several prisons, a detention center and a military base.
"Cases documented by the United Nations indicate patterns of sexual violence such as genital violence, prolonged forced nudity and repeated strip searches conducted in an abusive and degrading manner," he wrote in the report.
More: Zelenskyy says Russia is preparing for new offensive operations
While Israeli authorities had engaged with his special envoy on sexual violence in conflict over the past year, Guterres said "limited information has been provided on accountability measures undertaken in relation to alleged incidents of sexual violence, despite witness testimony and digital evidence of Israeli soldiers committing such violations."
Russia's mission to the U.N. in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Guterres said Russian authorities have not engaged with his special envoy.
Guterres wrote that he was "gravely concerned about credible information of violations by Russian armed and security forces and affiliated armed groups" primarily against Ukrainian prisoners of war, in 50 official and 22 unofficial detention facilities in Ukraine and Russia.
"These cases comprised a significant number of documented incidents of genital violence, including electrocution, beatings and burns to the genitals, and forced stripping and prolonged nudity, used to humiliate and elicit confessions or information," he said.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022.
More: Hamas hostage videos silenced Israeli media's talk of Gaza aid crisis
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
a minute ago
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Reacts to Alleged Russia Hack into Federal Court System
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump reacted to a question on Wednesday regarding evidence that Russia is at least in part responsible for a recent hack of the computer system that manages U.S. federal court documents. The New York Times reported on the investigation Tuesday, citing several people briefed on the breach. The president was asked during a press conference at the Kennedy Center, "There is new reporting that the Russians have hacked into some computer systems that manage U.S. Federal court documents. I wonder if you've seen this reporting or if you plan to bring it up to President [Vladimir] Putin later in the week?" Trump replied, frankly, "I guess I could. Are you surprised? They hack in, that's what they do. They're good at it, we're good at it. We're actually better at it. But I've heard about it." Reporter: There is new reporting that the Russians have hacked into some computer systems that manage U.S. Federal court documents. Trump: Are you surprised? That's what they do…. — Acyn (@Acyn) August 13, 2025 This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Wall Street Journal
a minute ago
- Wall Street Journal
Trump to Host Kennedy Center Honors
WASHINGTON—President Trump said he would host the Kennedy Center Honors, the annual awards show honoring lifetime achievement in the performing arts, announcing that this year's recipients will include country singer George Strait, actor Sylvester Stallone and rock band Kiss. Trump's decision to host the event comes as the president has sought to exert control over the John F. Kennedy Center, one of the country's premier cultural institutions. Earlier this year, Trump fired Kennedy Center board members, criticized the center's programming and installed himself as chair. The center, which receives some federal funding, has historically operated with a bipartisan board.
Newsweek
a minute ago
- Newsweek
Anti-Trump Protests Planned in Alaska: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A rally planned in Anchorage to protest against the summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will see locals voice their support for Ukraine and disapproval of the Russian president on U.S. soil, organizers have said. The group Stand UP Alaska is organizing an event to take place downtown in the state's biggest city on Thursday, ahead of the much anticipated meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has praised the fact that the state will host the Trump-Putin meeting. Newsweek has reached out to Stand UP Alaska outside working hours. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, It Matters Putin's first appearance on U.S. soil in a decade has divided opinion, especially after his aggression in attacking Ukraine resulted in him being diplomatically sidelined by the West. Protests in Anchorage will focus on Putin's status as an alleged war criminal, following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which has accused him of a policy of abducting Ukrainian children. What To Know Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet on August 15 at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The day before, a protest will take place from 4.30 p.m. in Midtown Mall, in the center of Anchorage, at two of busiest intersections in the city which has a population of around 290,000. On Friday, a press conference will take place at noon, and another rally will take place at 5.30 p.m. Erin Jackson-Hill, executive director of Stand UP Alaska and one of the protest organizers told Ukrainian outlet Ukrinform it was too early to estimate how many would turn up but the last rally organized by the group drew around 7,000 people. She said the key slogan of the rally will be "Alaska Supports Ukraine" and that the protest would express anger at an authoritarian leader being invited to the state and that Putin was a war criminal who should not be on American soil. Putin cannot travel to many countries a because he has been indicted for war crimes by the ICC which the U.S. does not recognize. Wayne Jordash, president of Global Rights Compliance which support Ukraine's efforts documenting Russian war crimes told Newsweek in a statement Wednesday that any ceasefire deal agreed in Alaska that forces Ukraine into conceding its sovereign territory will amount to a violation of the U.N. Charter. He added that a ceasefire must be accompanied by a credible deal which delivers a path to justice for Ukrainian civilians. What People Are Saying Erin Jackson-Hill, executive director of Stand UP Alaska: "Alaska stands with Ukraine, and we don't appreciate authoritarian dictators being invited to our state, especially not by our governor or congressional delegation. (Putin) is a war criminal, and he has no place on American soil." Wayne Jordash, president of Global Rights Compliance: "Any ceasefire deal agreed in Alaska that forces Ukraine into conceding its sovereign territory will amount to a violation of the U.N. Charter … and an abandonment of Ukrainian civilians living under brutal Russian occupation." What Happens Next The protest in the center of Anchorage will take place on Thursday, while on the day of the summit, another gathering is expected to take place.
