In Geneva, a group of human rights experts supported by the United Nations has leveled accusations against Israel concerning the use of gender-based violence in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. These accusations are outlined in a detailed report, which is one of the most comprehensive to emerge on this topic since the hostilities were triggered by Hamas’ assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has criticized the Human Rights Council, the U.N.-affiliated entity responsible for the inquiry, labeling it a platform biased against Israel. He dismissed it as antisemitic and irrelevant but did not directly engage with the report’s substance.
The report, generated by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, aims to create an in-depth record of the alleged crimes and evidence, facilitating accountability for those responsible. This documentation could potentially be utilized by the International Criminal Court or other legal bodies to seek justice for victims.
According to the revelations made public on Thursday, the commission scrutinized various incidents, including the extensive damage to Gaza, the deployment of heavy explosives in populated areas, and Israeli strikes on medical centers. They indicate these actions have resulted in “disproportionate harm towards women and children.”
Specific abuses recorded by the commission include a range of violations against Palestinians of all demographics, with allegations against Israeli forces regarding sexual violence. Israel refutes claims of systemic prisoner abuse and asserts corrective actions are enforced when infractions occur.
Chris Sidoti, a member of the commission, stated in Geneva that Israel’s reported actions are seen as part of a concerted effort to undermine Palestinian rights to self-determination through sexual and reproductive violence.
The Israeli delegation in Geneva has dismissed these claims, condemning the commission’s reliance on questionable sources. Since its formation in 2021, Israel has not engaged with the commission, citing bias.
Further in the report, the commission stops short of labeling Israeli actions as genocide but notes instances of what it describes as genocidal acts, particularly the systematic destruction of reproductive health services. Israel denies such accusations, a standpoint heightened by its historical context as a sanctuary for Holocaust survivors.
Despite the pause in hostilities due to a fragile ceasefire, Israel asserts it took considerable precautions to minimize civilian casualties throughout the 15-month conflict, attributing the loss of lives to Hamas’ presence in residential zones. The Israeli military has conducted operations in hospitals, claiming they were used for Hamas military activities, charges that Palestinian health officials reject.
The conflict’s inception was marked by a brutal attack carried out by Hamas-led forces on October 7, 2023, resulting in many civilian casualties and hostages taken.
While Israeli authorities have accused Hamas militants of sexual violence, experts and testimonies from released hostages affirm such maltreatment. The U.N. had noted the credibility of these allegations in a previous report.
The reactionary military actions of Israel have reportedly led to the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. However, it does not clarify how many of the deceased were combatants.
This week, the commission conducted public hearings involving victims and various advocacy groups, whose testimonies were incorporated into the report. The current commission’s scope does not extend to examining allegations of violence against Israelis during the initial attacks by Hamas or the hostages’ plight in Gaza, although such issues were addressed in prior reports.
