Israel forces engage in targeted detaining, killing, raping of Palestinian women, girls

Palestinian women and girls were incarcerated, killed, and raped by Israeli forces with a deliberate focus, as stated in the report prepared by a UN expert team, which termed it egregious human rights violations targeting Palestinian women and girls in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

These heinous alleged acts, experts say, constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, potentially amounting to serious crimes under international criminal law. The experts called for accountability for the perpetrators and urged that victims' families receive full redress and justice.

Reports indicate that Palestinian women and girls have been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often with family members, including children. Shockingly, some victims were allegedly holding white pieces of cloth as they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces.

The experts expressed dismay at the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children, even in places where they sought refuge or while fleeing.

The experts also raised concerns about the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women and girls, including human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian workers, in Gaza and the West Bank since October 7.

Detainees reportedly faced inhuman and degrading treatment, denial of necessities like menstruation pads, food, and medicine, and severe beatings. Disturbingly, female detainees were reportedly put in a cage without food in the rain and cold on at least one occasion.

The UN experts expressed distress at reports of sexual assault against Palestinian female detainees, including being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli officers. Shockingly, at least two female detainees were reportedly raped, while others faced threats of rape and sexual violence. Photos of female detainees in degrading circumstances were allegedly taken by Israeli soldiers and uploaded online.

Furthermore, the experts voiced concern about an unknown number of Palestinian women and children, including girls, who have gone missing after contact with the Israeli army in Gaza. Disturbing reports suggest that at least one female infant was forcibly transferred by the Israeli army into Israel, and children were separated from their parents, with their whereabouts remaining unknown.

The experts reminded the Government of Israel of its obligation to uphold the right to life, safety, health, and dignity of Palestinian women and girls and called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into the allegations. They urged Israel to cooperate fully in the investigation to ensure justice and accountability.

The independent experts, including the working group on discrimination against women and girls, the special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, and Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, highlighted instances of arbitrary executions, detentions, rape, and threats of sexual violence.