In Geneva, a report by United Nations-endorsed human rights specialists delivered a significant accusation against Israel on Thursday. The experts claimed that Israel systematically employs sexual, reproductive, and other gender-based violence in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
This accusation emerged from a report considered one of the most extensive on the subject since Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking the current conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the Human Rights Council, which authorized the team of independent experts, labeling it an “anti-Israel circus” and accusing it of being antisemitic, supportive of terrorism, and irrelevant. However, Netanyahu’s statement did not specifically address the report’s findings.
The investigation, conducted by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, aims to meticulously document allegations and evidence of crimes to ensure accountability for perpetrators. Such findings could potentially be used by the International Criminal Court prosecutors or other legal jurisdictions to seek justice for victims and their families.
In the report released on Thursday, the commission analyzed the extensive destruction in Gaza, the deployment of heavy weaponry in civilian-populated areas, and the targeting of hospitals and health facilities by Israeli forces. The commission indicated that these actions have resulted in “disproportionate violence against women and children.”
The commission documented a range of violations affecting Palestinian people regardless of gender and accused Israeli security forces of sexual violence against detained Palestinians. Israel refutes these allegations of systematic abuse but acknowledges taking measures against any confirmed violations.
“Our report indicates a significant increase in sexual, reproductive, and other gender-based violence by Israel targeting Palestinians, aiming to undermine their self-determination rights,” stated Chris Sidoti, a commission member, in Geneva.
Israel’s representatives in Geneva dismissed the allegations, accusing the commission of basing findings on insufficiently verified sources. Israel has refused cooperation with the commission since its inception in 2021, alleging bias within the council and the investigation team.
Sidoti remarked that the report also notes Israel’s actions as genocidal through the deliberate targeting of reproductive health facilities. Though stopping short of labeling Israel’s actions as genocide—an assertion made by some advocacy groups—such a claim remains vigorously denied by Israel.
Israel argues that throughout the 15-month conflict, it undertook efforts to minimize civilian casualties. It attributes the fatalities and destruction to Hamas, who it claims, operate within residential zones. Israeli raids on hospitals, justified by allegations of their military use by Hamas, are disputed by Palestinian health authorities.
Hamas, in response to the report, called for international legal actions against Israeli leaders. The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister, accused of war crimes, which they deny. Additionally, the court issued a warrant for a Hamas military figure later confirmed deceased by the militants.
The conflict ignited when Hamas-led forces attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, alongside the taking of 251 hostages.
Israeli officials, supported by witness statements and other evidence, have accused Hamas-led groups of widespread sexual violence. Israeli experts have reported treating former hostages who endured physical and sexual abuse. Last year, a U.N. envoy cited “reasonable grounds” for these allegations.
In retaliation, Israel’s offensive has reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly comprising women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The statistics do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Recently, the commission held public hearings in which victims, legal professionals, and advocacy representatives shared their accounts, forming part of the current report.
Although the commission concentrated on sexual and gender-based violence incidents affecting Palestinians, it did not delve into similar allegations against Israelis or hostages in Gaza stemming from the October 7 attack. However, these issues were covered in a previous report issued last year.
