According to a report by the office of UN Secretary General António Guterres, Israel has been placed on the UN’s list of states suspected of committing sexual violence in armed conflict for the first time. The report verified 31 cases of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank in 2023 and 2025 — Israel has rejected the allegations and announced it will sever relations with the secretary general’s office.

Verified Cases and Victim Details

The UN report confirmed 31 incidents involving 14 men, seven women, nine boys, and one girl — the verified violations included rape, gang rape, forced nudity, and violence to genitals committed by officers from the Israeli military, police, and prison service. The report emphasized that these cases are “indicative of incidents and patterns” rather than a broad account.

The UN also noted that its investigations had been obstructed by the Israeli government and that threats had been made against detainees to prevent the reporting of abuse. In 2023, Hamas was also added to the “Conflict-related Sexual Violence” report. Twelve former hostages released from Gaza accused Hamas captors of sexual violence, though the UN could not verify these claims due to access being denied by the Israeli government.

Israeli Government Response

Israel’s ambassador to the UN. Danny Danon. Called the report an example of antisemitism and accused Guterres of spreading lies, as Danon announced that Israel will refuse contact with the secretary general’s office as long as Guterres remains in his position. The Israeli foreign ministry also criticized the report, calling it a “shameful and absurd” decision that reflects the UN’s “politicised and corrupt” nature. A spokesperson for the ministry. Oren Marmorstein. Claimed the report “has abandoned its founding principles and systematically targets Israel as its primary mission,” according to Al Jazeera.

Guterres’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, responded to the criticism by stating that the secretary general’s office remains open for dialogue, as Meanwhile, Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, called the decision to list Israel “long overdue,” according to Al Jazeera.

Broader Implications and Future Steps

Guterres has placed Israel on “notice,” urging it to investigate the allegations and improve detention conditions for Palestinians. The report also highlighted the lack of access to Gaza for UN investigators, which has hindered verification efforts regarding the 12 former hostages’ claims. The inclusion of Israel on the list marks a significant development in the UN’s efforts to address sexual violence in armed conflict and highlights the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and the UN.