United Nations-backed human rights investigators accused Israel on Thursday of systematically employing sexual violence and reproductive abuse against Palestinians in Gaza during its recent war with Hamas, sparking fierce pushback from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The report by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, one of the most comprehensive to date, asserted that Israel's actions resulted in widespread violations against Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children. Chris Sidoti, a member of the commission, said at a press briefing in Geneva that Israel has "increasingly employed sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination."
Additionally, the commission accused Israeli security forces of committing acts of rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. "Our report finds that Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians," Sidoti stated.
Israel categorically rejected the report's conclusions. Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed the UN Human Rights Council-which established the commission-as an "anti-Israel circus," labeling it "an antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant body." The Israeli mission in Geneva further criticized the investigation for relying on "second-hand, single, uncorroborated sources."
The commission also suggested Israel's systematic targeting of healthcare and reproductive facilities constituted "genocidal acts." Sidoti remarked that the report "concludes that Israel has carried out genocidal acts through the systematic destruction of sexual and reproductive health care facilities." The commission, however, stopped short of formally accusing Israel of genocide.
The war in Gaza erupted on October 7, 2023, after Hamas-led militants conducted a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people-mostly civilians-and capturing 251 hostages. Israel responded with a major military offensive that has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
Israel contends it took extraordinary precautions to minimize civilian casualties, attributing the high death toll and destruction to Hamas militants operating from densely populated civilian areas. Israeli officials also accused Hamas of sexual violence during the October 7 attacks, with independent medical experts supporting claims that some Israeli hostages experienced abuse while in captivity.
The commission's latest hearings, held Tuesday and Wednesday, involved testimonies from survivors, human rights advocates, and legal experts documenting alleged abuses. This body of evidence could potentially support future cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC) or other tribunals.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts surrounding Gaza remain tense. President Donald Trump briefly signaled a reversal this week regarding his controversial plan to depopulate Gaza for redevelopment purposes. Trump's earlier proposal had drawn fierce criticism from international legal experts who labeled it a likely violation of international law.
Arab countries, including Jordan and Egypt, cautiously welcomed Trump's apparent reversal, following his comment, "Nobody's expelling any Palestinians." Hamas similarly praised Trump's change in position, acknowledging it as an "apparent retreat."
Medical conditions in Gaza remain dire. Kate Forbes, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, stated Thursday that approximately 25,000 patients urgently require evacuation due to disruptions in treatment stemming from destroyed healthcare facilities. Forbes added that despite the ongoing blockade of aid into Gaza, "Yesterday, we saved 39 lives."
Adding complexity to the regional instability, Israel launched an airstrike on Thursday targeting a residential building near Damascus, Syria, described by Israel as a command center for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the strike, vowing continued military action against militant threats emanating from Syria.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, underscored the message to Syrian authorities: "Whenever terrorist activity is organized against Israel," Syria's leadership "will find air force planes circling above him and attacking terrorist targets." Local paramedics reported at least three injuries, with Syrian state media confirming property damage.
