According to the BBC, the United Nations has, for the first time, added Israel to its blacklist of parties accused of committing conflict-related sexual violence.
A report by the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN verified 31 cases of sexual violence allegedly perpetrated by Israeli security forces against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including allegations of rape, forced nudity and genital violence.
The BBC reported that Israel rejected the allegations, with its UN ambassador Danny Danon accusing Guterres of spreading “antisemitic lies” and announcing that Israel would suspend contact with the secretary-general’s office.
The report also added Russian armed and security forces to the blacklist for the first time over alleged sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilian detainees during the conflict in Ukraine.
