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Sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians during the Israel–Hamas war

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Not to be confused with Sexual and gender-based violence in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
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During the 2023–24 Israel–Hamas war, Palestinian women and girls have reportedly faced wartime sexual violence from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. Two Palestinian women reported being raped by male Israeli soldiers while in prison.[1]

The IDF has been accused of committing acts of gender-based violence, war crimes and crimes against humanity in keeping with the recognition of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that sexual violence is a war crime and a crime against humanity.

It has been alleged that both female and male Palestinians have been subjected to sexual violence and torture by IDF soldiers.

The UN has condemned the alleged acts of rape and sexual violence by the IDF.

Sexual abuse prior to October 7

Claims of torture, ill-treatment, and sexual violence against detained Palestinians by Israel, have been made before the 7 October attacks and invasion of Gaza,[2][3][4][5] with documentation recorded by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)[6][7] and Amnesty International.[8] There have been extensive reports of sexual violence against both male and female detainees, including imprisoned Lebanese Amal leader Mustafa Dirani who sued Israel on the claim of rape.[9]

Rape and sexual abuse of imprisoned women

On 19 February 2024, a group of United Nations special rapporteurs released a report stating "rights experts call for probe into violations against Palestinian women and girls." According to the report, there is evidence that during the Israel–Hamas war, Palestinian women and girls were subjected to wartime sexual violence.[10] According to these allegations, Palestinian women and girls were also subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment by the IDF, such as they were denied menstruation pads, food and medicine, and were severely beaten, raped, assaulted, threatened with rape and sexual violence, and subjected to multiple forms of other sexual assaults. Palestinian women and girls were also stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers.[11][12][13][14][15] OHCHR stated that Israeli troops had photographed female detainees in “degrading circumstances” and that the photos had been uploaded online.[16][1]

The UN report states, "Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped".[16][1] One of the special rapporteurs; Reem Alsalem, cautioned that the reservation in reporting sexual violence was common due to reprisal concerns. Alsalem stated that since the 7 October attacks, women and girls in Israeli detention had faced an increasingly permissive attitude by Israeli officials towards sexual assault.[10] According to Middle East Eye, the phrase "at least" highlighted the fact that many occurrences remain unrecorded, as victims dread the stigma and repercussions associated with speaking out about sexual abuse in "a patriarchal society reluctant to address such atrocities".[17]

The special rapporteurs have also raised concerns over a number of Palestinian women and children going missing, with reports of children being separated from their parents. In one instance a female infant was reportedly forcibly moved to Israel by the IDF.[18] In response to the report, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said, "Civilians and detainees must be treated humanely, and in accordance with international humanitarian law."[19] Physicians for Human Rights-Israel also described the sexual humiliation of detainees, including sexual insults and urination on prisoners.[20] The Palestinian Prisoner's Society stated men had been subjected to severe sexual assault, including attempted rape and violating strip searches.[21]

The Associated Press in March 2024 reported on Palestinian women claiming to have been abused during their detention by Israel, one woman said that Israeli soldiers conducted strip searches, and during the detention, if "we raised our heads or uttered any words, they beat us on the head [...] Loud music, shouting and intimidation — they wanted to humiliate us. We were handcuffed, blindfolded, and our feet were tied in chains"; another woman alleged that an Israeli soldier smashed her face into a wall when she would not kiss the flag of Israel.[22]

Execution of women in Gaza

On 19 February 2024, a group of United Nations special rapporteurs reported on claims that Palestinian women and children were "arbitrarily" targeted and killed in Gaza. Some were reportedly killed while holding white pieces of cloth, seeking refugee or fleeing.[10]

Sexual abuse in the Gaza Strip

In May 2024, a group of UN special rapporteurs condemned "unacceptable" sexual violence and enforced disappearances of women and children in Gaza, stating, "We are appalled that women are being targeted by Israel with such vicious, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks".[23]

Threats of rape and sexual violence

Palestinian women in Gaza have alleged threats of rape and sexual violence by invading Israeli soldiers.[24] Speaking to Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, one Palestinian woman, who was pregnant, described being forced to undress by an Israeli soldier, who threatened to rape her.[24]

Multiple Palestinian prisoners report having been subjected to sexual abuse and threats of rape following the outbreak of the war.[25][26][27] The BBC reported on one such female prisoner, who said: "They threatened to rape me... It was clear the goal was to intimidate me."[28] While Israel denied the allegations and threatened to prosecute her lawyer for incitement, the released prisoner reported rape threats against both herself and other incarcerated women. Another Palestinian woman also alleged threats of sexual assault by Israeli guards.[26] Middle East Eye likewise reported on allegations by detainees that "Israeli guards have threatened sexual assault against female inmates and assaulted them inside their cells."[27]

Coverage in media

Social media posts by IDF members

See also: Media coverage of the Israel–Hamas war § Social media

Videos and pictures of Israeli soldiers going through Palestinian women's underwear in Gaza went viral, leading MIFTAH, a Palestinian women's advocacy organization, to state they showed "depravity".[29] In one video an IDF soldier records himself going through a Palestinian woman's wardrobe, including her underwear while making derogatory and sexist remarks about Arab women.[30] Another image shows two male IDF troops, one wearing a Palestinian woman's bra while the other stands next to him groping the empty bra and sticking his tongue out, while another male IDF soldier is recorded detailing how he intends to bring back Palestinian women's belongings back to his girlfriend in Israel.[31] A video was posted by an IDF soldier showing him sitting on top of a tank holding a female mannequin dressed in a black bra and helmet, stating "I found a beautiful wife, serious relationship in Gaza, great woman."[32]

Women interviewed in Geneva expressed their outrage and discomfort at the images posted by the IDF, which shows male IDF troops posing with lingerie and underwear of Palestinian women that they had taken from displaced persons homes in Gaza.[33] A UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, called the postings as "...demeaning to Palestinian women, and all women." An assistant professor of law at Queen's University in Canada stated the posts violated article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which states all civilians are entitled to respect with women being especially protected against any attack on their honour.[32]

Fabricated report allegations

In late March 2024, Al Jazeera reported in its live blog on an allegation against the IDF of committing rape at Shifa Hospital. The story was based on a testimony from Jamila al-Hessi, a Gazan woman, who said she had seen IDF soldiers “raping women then killing them and burning entire families alive.” These reports quickly gained international attention and provoked widespread condemnation. However, it was subsequently reported that an investigation by Hamas determined that her allegations were false. Yasser Abuhilalah, a columnist and former director at Al-Jazeera, said on social media that Hamas had found her allegation to be baseless. He added that "the woman who spoke about rape justified her exaggeration and incorrect talk by saying that the goal was to arouse the nation’s fervor and brotherhood." In response, Al-Jazeera removed its video but not the content on its live blog.[34][35]

International reactions

In response to the UN report, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State said, "Civilians and detainees must be treated humanely, and in accordance with international humanitarian law."[19] Physicians for Human Rights-Israel also described the sexual humiliation of detainees, including sexual insults and urination on prisoners.[20] The Palestinian Prisoner's Society stated men had been subjected to severe sexual assault, including attempted rape and violative strip searches.[21]

The US said it could not independently confirm independently the reports, Israel said it had not received any complaint of sexual abuse, and criticized the UN report as biased. Israel alleged that one of the report’s authors had rhetorically legitimized Hamas’s 7 October attack a few days prior to the UN panel, and that another had “publicly doubted the testimonies of Israeli victims of gender-based and sexual violence.”[11][12][14][15] The Israeli mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland stated that "Israel forcefully rejects the despicable and unfounded claims published today by a group of so-called U.N. experts".[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Robertson, Nick (19 February 2024). "UN experts condemn 'credible' reports of executions, sexual assault by Israeli soldiers". The Hill. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ Shakir, Omar (2021-04-27). "A Threshold Crossed". Human Rights Watch.
  3. ^ "Pattern of discriminatory Israeli police violations against Palestinians". Amnesty International. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  4. ^ Baroud, Zarefah. "When will Israel stop torturing Palestinian prisoners?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  5. ^ "Defenceless: The Impact of Israeli Military Detention on Palestinian Children - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  6. ^ "Torture in Israel Today". stoptorture. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  7. ^ "Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)". OMCT. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  8. ^ "Pattern of discriminatory Israeli police violations against Palestinians". Amnesty International. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  9. ^ Weishut, Daniel (2015). "Sexual torture of Palestinian men by Israeli authorities" (PDF). Reproductive Health Matters. 23 (46): 71–84. doi:10.1016/j.rhm.2015.11.019. PMID 26718999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2024 – via The Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights.
  10. ^ a b c Borger, Julian (2024-02-22). "Claims of Israeli sexual assault of Palestinian women are credible, UN panel says". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  11. ^ a b "UN experts warn of Israeli violations against Palestinian women, girls". Al Jazeera. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Israel/oPt: UN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls" (Press release). Geneva: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Rights experts call for probe into alleged violations against Palestinian women and girls". United Nations News. United Nations Department of Global Communications. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b Roth, Richard; Damanhoury, Kareem El; Greene, Richard Allen (20 February 2024). "UN experts demand investigation into claims Israeli forces killed, raped and sexually assaulted Palestinian women and girls". CNN.
  15. ^ a b Cullinan, Maeve (21 February 2024). "Sexual violence against Palestinian women 'may be higher than first thought', says UN expert". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024.
  16. ^ a b "UN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls". Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. United Nations. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Feminists worldwide must stand in solidarity with Palestinian victims". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  18. ^ Hearst, Katherine (19 February 2024). "Palestinian women and girls raped and sexually assaulted in Israeli detention, UN experts say". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  19. ^ a b Lewis, Simon; Pamuk, Humeyra. "US reviewing reports of civilian harm by Israel, State Dept says". Reuters. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Cruel and systematic violations of Palestinian rights in Israeli prisons: Report". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  21. ^ a b Al Tahhan, Zena (20 February 2024). "Palestinian groups share testimonies of sexual assault, rape of prisoners". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  22. ^ Frankel, Julia (2 March 2024). "'They wanted to humiliate us.' Palestinian women detained by Israel allege abuse in Israeli custody". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  23. ^ "UN Experts Condemn Israel's 'Sexual Assault And Violence' In Gaza". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b Monitor, Euro-Med Human Rights. "Field executions, torture, and threats of rape: In Gaza, Israel's army replicates the crimes committed by Zionist gangs in 1948". Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  25. ^ "UN rights office 'seriously concerned' about Israel's increased arrest of Palestinians". Reuters. 1 December 2023. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Israel's war on Gaza: List of key events, day 55". Al Jazeera. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Female prisoners threatened with sexual assault, subject to naked beatings". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  28. ^ Williamson, Lucy (1 December 2023). "Released Palestinians allege abuse in Israeli jails". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Israelis' 'depravity' on display as they rifle through Palestinian women's undergarments". Al Jazeera. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  30. ^ Kottasová, Ivana (15 December 2023). "Videos show Israeli soldiers in Gaza burning food, vandalizing a shop and ransacking private homes". CNN. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  31. ^ Berman, Nina (29 February 2024). "Violating intimacies". Mondoweiss. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  32. ^ a b Shirbon, Estelle; Grzanka, Pola (28 March 2024). "Israeli soldiers play with Gaza women's underwear in online posts". Reuters. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  33. ^ Donmez, Beyza Binnur (8 March 2024). "'Awful, disgusting': Swiss women indignant over Israeli soldiers violating Palestinian women's privacy". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  34. ^ "Hamas, Al Jazeera admit: Story of IDF rapes in Gaza hospital fabricated". The Jerusalem Post. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Al Jazeera takes down video falsely alleging IDF rapes in Shifa Hospital". Times of Israel.
  36. ^ "US 'can't independently confirm' UN charges of IDF sexual assault". Jewish News Syndicate. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
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