Allegations of Rape, Sexual Abuse, and Forced Strip-Searches in Israeli Prisons; Israel Outraged by UN Report

New Delhi: A new United Nations report has sparked a major diplomatic row between Israel and the UN. The report alleges that Israeli security forces have perpetrated numerous instances of sexual violence and abuse against Palestinian detainees. In the wake of these allegations, Israel announced that it is severing ties with the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

According to the report, 31 verified cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees were identified during 2025. These incidents include rape, attempted rape, violence against private parts, forced strip-searches, humiliating body searches, and sexual torture. The report notes that in many instances, men and boys were targeted, while female detainees faced threats of rape, forced strip-searches, and sexual harassment.

Cases of Sexual Abuse in Israeli Prisons and Detention Camps
The UN report states that these incidents occurred across various detention centers, prisons, and interrogation facilities. Specific locations cited include Sde Teiman, Etzion Detention Center, Megiddo, Ofer, Ramallah, Nafha, and other prisons. According to the report, some of the victims were journalists and human rights activists. The report further alleges that Israeli authorities failed to grant UN investigators adequate access, thereby hindering independent investigations into many of these cases. The UN Secretary-General acknowledged that serious allegations regarding sexual violence and degrading treatment of detainees have come to light.

Israel Cuts Ties with the Office of the UN Secretary-General
Israel issued a scathing response following the public release of the report. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, declared, “We will no longer cooperate with you.” He asserted that it is unjust to place Israeli soldiers on the same list as organizations such as Hamas. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also described the report as “shameful and absurd,” stating that the UN has become a political and biased institution that consistently targets Israel. The Ministry announced that Israel would not cooperate with Guterres’s office until a new Secretary-General is appointed.

No Changes to the UN Report
Meanwhile, the UN has defended its findings. The Secretary-General’s spokesperson clearly stated, “The Secretary-General stands by his report, and no changes will be made to it.” This report comes at a time when international criticism of Israel is mounting regarding the war in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. This UN report has once again further deepened the rift between Israel and international institutions.