GENEVA: UN rights experts called Monday for an independent investigation into alleged Israeli abuses against Palestinian women and girls, including killings, rapes and sexual assault.
In a statement issued on Monday, seven independent UN rights experts called for an impartial investigation into alleged Israeli violations targeting Palestinian women and girls, including reports of killings, rapes, and sexual assault.
The UN experts highlighted credible allegations of egregious human rights violations occurring in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, sparking condemnation from Israel, which rejected the claims as “despicable and unfounded.”
Israeli Abuses of Palestinian Women and Girls
The experts expressed alarm at reports of Palestinian women and girls being arbitrarily executed, often alongside their family members, while seeking refuge or fleeing conflict zones. They also voiced concern over the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women and girls, including journalists, human rights defenders, and humanitarian workers. Many of those detained allegedly faced inhuman and degrading treatment, such as severe beatings and denial of essential supplies.
Of particular concern were reports of multiple forms of sexual assault, including allegations of rape and instances where female detainees were subjected to strip searches by male Israeli army officers. The experts emphasized the urgent need for an independent, impartial, and thorough investigation into these allegations, urging Israel to cooperate fully with the process.
Responding to the statement, the Israeli mission in Geneva dismissed the claims, accusing the experts of being driven by bias against Israel rather than pursuing truth.
