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UN chief puts Israel and Russia 'on notice' over reports of sexual violence by armed forces
Palestinians mourn at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where the victims of an Israeli strike which hit the Mustafa Hafez school, sheltering Palestinians displaced by the war, were brought, on July 3, 2025. AFP
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has put Israel and Russia 'on notice' after accusing their militaries of committing sexual violence in conflict zones.
The warning came after concerns were raised regarding 'patterns of certain forms of sexual violence that have been consistently documented by the United Nations,' Guterres wrote in a report, according to Reuters.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel has reported documenting various violations committed against Palestinian women, men, and children. It also accused Israeli forces of committing rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees.
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What has the UN chief said?
In his annual report to the UN Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence, Guterres mentioned that Israel and Russia could be included in the list of countries 'credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence'.
'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,' Guterres wrote.
He, however, also acknowledged that since Israel has blocked access to most UN monitors, 'it has been challenging to make a definitive determination' about patterns and trends of violence meted out by armed forces against Gazans.
'Baseless'
Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has dismissed the UN chief's statements, calling them 'baseless accusations' against the country.
'The UN 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,' he said.
In July 2024, the Israeli military announced that nine soldiers were being detained and questioned over allegations of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at the notorious Sde Teiman prison facility, which was established to hold individuals arrested in Gaza.
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