Conflict in Gaza: Alarming claim levelled against Israeli military forces
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has accused Israeli forces of committing sexual violence against Palestinians in Gaza. In a recent statement, Guterres warned Israel that it may be listed in an upcoming UN report on sexual abuse committed by armed forces.
Guterres specifically criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinian prisoners, citing documented patterns of sexual violence such as genital violence, prolonged forced nudity, and repeated abusive strip searches.
In response, Israel has strongly rejected these allegations. Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon described the claims as "steeped in biased publications" and emphasized that the U.N. should instead focus on alleged war crimes and sexual violence committed by Hamas, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The United Nations has previously blacklisted Hamas for systemic sexual violence crimes related to the Oct. 7 attacks. However, it is Israel that is currently being put “on notice” by Guterres over the alleged abuses by its armed forces.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of people suffering from hunger and a sharp increase in the death rate due to malnutrition in the last month. The UN's work in Gaza is often hindered by limited access to information.
The UN Secretary-General's letter urges the Israeli government to stop all acts of sexual violence in Gaza and to facilitate access to information for UN staff. Israel, on the other hand, insists on its right to protect its population while acting in accordance with international law.
This development reflects ongoing tensions and contested narratives regarding war crimes and sexual violence in the Gaza conflict. The situation has caused division among the people in Israel, with some viewing it as a "betrayal of Israel."
In a letter published internally, Ambassador Danon criticized Guterres for relying on "unfounded allegations" and accused him of relying on "tendentious publications." Prime Minister Netanyahu, on the other hand, has maintained his military plan and expressed his desire to capture Gaza City.
The UN Secretary-General's concerns about potential war crimes in Gaza were first reported by ntv. This news comes at a time when the international community is closely watching developments in the region.
"The UN Secretary-General's concerns about potential war crimes and sexual violence in Gaza extend beyond Israel, as he also calls for an investigation into Hamas for similar allegations, as previously reported by ntv. Meanwhile,, the ongoing political discourse encompasses general news, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice matters, and politics, with Israelinsisting on their right to protect their population while acting in accordance with international law, while some view the UN's approach as a betrayal."
"In light of the UN Secretary-General's letter urging Israel to stop all acts of sexual violence in Gaza and facilitate access to information for UN staff, and Israel's rejection of these allegations, the discussion about the humanitarian situation, politics, and crime-and-justice in Gaza is heating up, with the UN focusing on sexual abuse committed by armed forces in their upcoming report, and Israel emphasizing the need for the UN to focus on alleged war crimes and sexual violence committed by Hamas and the release of hostages held by Hamas."
