Unsupported experts accuse Israel of sexual violence and gender-based violence in Gaza
UN-backed experts accuse Israel of “systematically using sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence” in the Gaza Strip war against Hamas.
Israel dismissed the charges against the UN mission in Geneva and accused the commission of being created by an unsupported Human Rights Commission, which relies on “second-hand, single, unrepentant sources.”
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory is headed by the United Nations Chief of Human Rights, Navi Pillay. Its findings can be used as evidence for the International Criminal Court or other agencies that attempt to prosecute war crimes.
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Israel refused to work with the committee, accusing the committee and the council of being biased against it.
In a report released Thursday, the commission examined widespread damage in Gaza, the use of large amounts of explosives in civilian areas and Israeli attacks on hospitals and medical institutions. It said these three resulted in “disproportionate violence against women and children.”
Israel said avoiding harm to civilians during the 15-month war has taken extraordinary measures, which has been suspended by a fragile ceasefire. It blames Hamas for the deaths and destruction of civilians.
The Committee also accused Israeli security forces of committing rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. Israel denies any systematic abuse of prisoners and says it will take action in the event of a violation.
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and hijacking 251 hostages. The UN envoy said last year there were “reasonable reasons” to believe Hamas committed rape and sexual violence in the attack.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israel’s retaliatory offensive killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, without saying how many of them were combatants.
