Ask Onix
Israel blacklisted by UN over sexual violence allegations
Israel has been included on a United Nations blacklist of countries accused of committing sexual violence in conflict zones, marking the first time the nation has appeared on the annual report. The decision follows verified cases of abuse against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Verified cases and patterns
The UN report, released by Secretary-General António Guterres' office, documented 31 verified instances of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians. Of these, 13 occurred in 2025, while 18 were recorded in the two preceding years. The cases involved 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl, with abuses including rape, gang rape, forced nudity, and genital violence.
The UN described the findings as "indicative of incidents and patterns" rather than a comprehensive account, citing obstruction by Israeli authorities and threats against detainees that hindered full investigations.
Israel rejects allegations, severs UN ties
Israel's government dismissed the report as baseless, with Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon accusing Guterres of propagating "antisemitic lies." The Israeli mission announced it would cut all contact with the secretary-general's office during his tenure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar escalated the dispute by announcing a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over a report detailing testimonies from 14 Palestinian survivors of sexual abuse. The officials called the article "one of the most hideous and distorted lies ever published against Israel."
Systemic concerns and impunity
Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Israel for a lack of accountability in cases involving alleged abuses by its forces. A 2025 study by Action on Armed Violence found that 90% of Israeli military investigations into wartime misconduct since October 2023 were closed without charges. Only one of 52 reviewed cases resulted in a prison conviction.
The Israeli military defended its processes, stating it investigates "exceptional incidents" where violations are suspected, aligning with domestic and international law.
High-profile cases highlight abuse patterns
Leaked CCTV footage from the Sde Teiman detention facility showed five Israeli guards appearing to sexually assault a Palestinian detainee from Gaza. A medical examination later confirmed rectal injuries consistent with the abuse. Despite global outrage, Israel's military prosecutor dropped charges against the guards in March 2026.
Two Palestinian men separately told the BBC in December 2025 they had endured sexual violence as part of torture in Israeli prisons. The Israel Prison Service denied awareness of the claims, asserting operations comply with the law.
The UN Committee against Torture expressed "deep concern" in November 2025 over reports of "a de facto state policy of organized and widespread torture" in Israeli detention centers, noting a sharp rise in allegations after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Global context and other blacklist additions
Hamas was added to the UN's conflict-related sexual violence report in 2025 after 12 former hostages alleged abuse by their captors. The UN was unable to verify the claims due to Israel's refusal to grant access to investigation teams.
Russia was also blacklisted for the first time, following 310 documented cases of sexual violence-including rape and genital mutilation-against Ukrainian prisoners and civilians in occupied territories. Ukraine's foreign minister welcomed the report as "a crucial step toward truth and accountability." Russia has not publicly responded.
