A United Nations-backed crew of human rights experts accused Israel of utilizing sexual, reproductive, and gender-based violence in its army marketing campaign towards Hamas in Gaza, reported information company Associated Press.
The report, launched on Thursday, is among the many most detailed investigations into such allegations for the reason that battle started on October 7, 2023. Israel has strongly rejected the claims, calling the UN physique biased.
The report paperwork violations allegedly dedicated by Israeli safety forces towards Palestinian males, ladies, and kids. The findings might be used as proof in worldwide authorized instances, together with on the International Criminal Court.
According to the fee, Israeli forces carried out assaults on hospitals, well being amenities, and civilian areas, disproportionately affecting ladies and kids. It additionally accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinian detainees to sexual violence and destroying reproductive healthcare companies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu known as the Human Rights Council an “anti-Israel circus” that helps terrorism. Israel’s UN mission in Geneva additionally rejected the findings, arguing that the fee relied on second-hand and unverified sources. Since the fee’s formation in 2021, Israel has refused to cooperate with its investigations, citing bias.
Hamas, in response to the report, urged worldwide courts to prosecute Israeli leaders. The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and different prime Israeli officers for alleged battle crimes. The court docket has additionally issued a warrant for Hamas’ army chief, who was later confirmed useless.
The battle in Gaza started after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing round 1,200 folks, principally civilians, and taking 251 hostages.