UN Report Documents Sexual Violence by Russian and Israeli Forces
The United Nations placed both countries on its list of parties committing conflict-related sexual violence. The move follows documented cases involving Israeli forces against Palestinians and Russian forces against Ukrainians.
The GuardianThe United Nations added Israel and Russia to its blacklist of parties that commit sexual violence in conflict. The decision came in a report released by the office of the UN secretary general. The report verified 31 cases of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025.
Violations included rape, gang rape, forced nudity, and violence to genitals committed by members of the Israeli military, police, and prison service. UN investigators said Israeli authorities barred access to detention centers and threatened detainees against reporting abuse. The report described the verified cases as indicative of broader patterns rather than a complete accounting.
Russia was added to the blacklist for the first time. Investigators documented 310 cases of sexual violence by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, including rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, and electric shocks. The UN secretary general had placed both governments on notice last year.
Israel rejected the allegations and said it would cut ties with the secretary general's office. Israel submitted evidence, documents, and detailed responses to every claim, according to Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the UN. Russia obstructed monitors from accessing detention sites, the report said.
Ukrainian authorities allowed independent monitors access and have taken steps to strengthen relevant laws. The UN had previously added Hamas to the blacklist for the October 7 attacks and hostage abuse. The new list covers 77 countries and armed groups worldwide.
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