Warning: This article contains references that may disturb some readers about violence against women..
Recently, UN-supported human rights experts released a report alleging violence based on gender and sexuality by Israeli forces and Palestinian militants during the early stages of the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Israel has strongly dismissed the report, accusing the UN-backed panel of bias and non-cooperation.
Context
The UN Human Rights Council commissioned a report on the Occupied Palestinian Territory in 2021 to investigate human rights violations in Israel and Palestinian-controlled territories.
The panel comprised of UN experts, with former UN chief Navi Pillay leading the inquiry.
What We Know
The report alleges severe and frequent crimes by Israeli forces against Palestinians based on gender and sexuality. It claims that the Israeli forces operate in a manner that facilitates such acts.
The report details instances of sexual violence, harassment, torture, and abuse by Israeli forces against Palestinians, citing verified photographic and video evidence.
Furthermore, it mentions incidents of gender-based violence by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
Israel’s Response
Israel vehemently denies the accusations and condemns the report’s attempt to equate IDF actions with those of Hamas regarding sexual violence.
Israel maintains that its military operations in Gaza and defense responses against Hamas conform to international law.
The United Nations Human Rights Council and other official accounts have shared statements regarding the report’s findings.