A new United Nations report has accused Israel of carrying out “genocidal acts” against Palestinians by systematically destroying reproductive healthcare facilities and using sexual violence as a war strategy during the conflict in Gaza. The findings, published by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, assert that Israeli authorities have deliberately targeted maternity hospitals and fertility clinics, effectively erasing reproductive capacity among Palestinians—a key criterion for genocide under the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention.
According to the report, the destruction of Gaza’s primary in-vitro fertilization center, Al-Basma IVF Clinic, in December 2023 resulted in the loss of 4,000 embryos, along with 1,000 sperm samples and unfertilized eggs. The commission determined that the facility was intentionally targeted by Israeli forces, most likely with a large-caliber tank shell. In addition, the report highlights a surge in maternal deaths due to restricted medical supplies and healthcare access, further constituting crimes against humanity under international law.
Sexual Violence Allegations and Systematic Abuse
The UN report also details widespread sexual and gender-based violence allegedly perpetrated by Israeli security forces. Testimonies from victims and witnesses, as well as verified photos and video footage, describe forced public stripping, sexual harassment, and genital violence as standard Israeli military practices against Palestinian detainees. The commission stated that these acts were either directly ordered or implicitly encouraged by Israeli civilian and military leadership.
Chris Sidoti, an Australian human rights lawyer and commission member, remarked that the prevalence of sexual violence had become “so widespread that it can only be considered systematic.” The findings suggest that these actions were used to “terrorize Palestinians and perpetuate a system of oppression that undermines their right to self-determination.”
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The accusations come amid broader claims of severe mistreatment of Palestinian detainees, including reports of bound, blindfolded, and beaten prisoners in Israeli custody. Despite video evidence reviewed by the commission, the Israeli military has denied the allegations, stating that its operational procedures strictly prohibit such misconduct.
Israel Rejects Findings, Labels UN Report as “Biased”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the UN report, calling it an “antisemitic, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant” attack on the state of Israel. He accused the UN of ignoring Hamas’ war crimes while falsely targeting Israel. “Instead of focusing on the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by Hamas, the UN once again chooses to attack Israel with baseless accusations,” Netanyahu stated.
Israel has consistently rejected allegations of human rights violations and war crimes. Its mission to the UN in Geneva condemned the report, calling it a “shameless attempt to incriminate the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)” with unverified testimonies and unreliable sources. The IDF emphasized that its policies and directives strictly prohibit sexual violence and that all misconduct allegations undergo thorough investigation in accordance with international standards.
Israel disengaged from the UN Human Rights Council in February 2024, citing ongoing bias. The country is also not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which grants the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over genocide and crimes against humanity.
Global Response and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The accusations come as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) reviews a case brought by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. In January 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide, though no ruling on the case has yet been made.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border raid into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a full-scale military campaign in Gaza, which has since resulted in over 48,520 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly 70% of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, and most of its 2.1 million residents have been displaced multiple times.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the U.S., called the UN report a “wake-up call for the international community.” CAIR’s Executive Director Nihad Awad stated, “A government that attacks pregnant women and uses sexual assault as a weapon of war cannot be given a place in the community of nations. Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable for their crimes against humanity.”
With the war in Gaza still ongoing, the international legal and diplomatic fallout from these allegations remains uncertain. However, the UN report has intensified scrutiny on Israel’s military actions and raised pressing questions about accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.