United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has put Israel’s armed and security forces on notice for potential inclusion in an upcoming UN report on sexual violence, citing “significant concerns” over documented patterns of abuse against Palestinians.

The warning, detailed in a letter to Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon, underscores the ongoing atrocities committed by Israeli forces in Gaza and beyond, further exposing the brutal and inhumane treatment of Palestinians under occupation.

Guterres’ letter, made public by Israel’s UN mission, highlights “credible information” of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli soldiers and prison guards against Palestinian detainees in multiple facilities, including Sde Teiman, Ketziot Prison, Megiddo, Gilboa, and Etzion. The UN’s Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has consistently documented these violations, despite Israel’s refusal to grant UN monitors access to these sites, a move that obstructs accountability and shields perpetrators. Guterres demanded Israel take immediate action to halt these heinous acts, emphasizing the systematic nature of the abuses.

A damning 2024 report by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem corroborated these findings, revealing that sexual violence is a routine tool of oppression used by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees. This aligns with a March 2024 UN commission report accusing Israel of employing sexual, reproductive, and gender-based violence as part of a broader campaign to undermine Palestinian self-determination. The commission went further, labeling Israel’s actions as “genocidal,” pointing to the deliberate destruction of Palestinian sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities.

Israel’s response, led by Ambassador Danon, was predictably defensive, dismissing the UN’s findings as “baseless” and attempting to deflect attention to Hamas. This tired tactic ignores the overwhelming evidence of Israel’s systemic abuses, including last year’s transfer of hundreds of Palestinian detainees from the notorious Sde Teiman prison following outcry from human rights groups and CNN’s exposé of the facility’s horrific conditions. Despite a warning from Israel’s High Court of Justice to adhere to legal standards, the prison remains operational, a glaring symbol of Israel’s disregard for human rights.

The UN’s findings extend beyond detention centers. A UN team, led by special envoy Pramila Patten, previously confirmed “clear and convincing” evidence of sexual abuse against hostages in Gaza, but the focus on Israel’s actions reveals a broader pattern of violence. While Israel’s mission in Geneva called the UN’s accusations a “shameless attempt to incriminate” its military, the reality is undeniable: Israel’s occupation relies on dehumanizing tactics, including sexual violence, to maintain control over Palestinians.

This latest UN warning is a clarion call for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its egregious violations. The systematic targeting of Palestinians through sexual violence and the destruction of their healthcare infrastructure is not just a war crime—it is a moral outrage that demands immediate action. As Israel continues to evade scrutiny and deny UN access, the world must stand with Palestinians, condemning these inhumane practices and pushing for justice in the face of relentless oppression. (ILKHA)