UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Israel over credible sexual violence allegations in detention facilities, citing possible inclusion in 2025 report.
The United Nations has delivered a direct warning to Israel over alleged incidents of sexual violence and abuse against Palestinian detainees, raising the possibility that the country could be formally listed in the 2025 UN Conflict-Related Sexual Violence report.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a letter dated August 12, 2025, addressed to Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon, expressed “significant concerns” over what the UN describes as credible information of violations by Israeli armed and security forces in multiple detention facilities, including the controversial Sde Teiman facility.
Details of the UN Warning
Guterres outlined that UN investigations have faced significant challenges due to Israel’s consistent denial of access to UN monitors, making it difficult to assess “patterns, trends and systemic nature” of sexual violence allegations.
The warnings followed leaked surveillance footage from July 2024, reportedly showing Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp in southern Israel. Following the footage’s release, nine Israeli soldiers were arrested in connection with the incident.
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The UN chief urged Israel to:
- Immediately end all acts of sexual violence.
- Investigate all credible complaints and prosecute perpetrators.
- Allow unimpeded access to UN human rights monitors.
- Commit military commanders to zero-tolerance policies.
Guterres emphasized that Israel’s compliance will determine if it appears in the next UN sexual violence report.
Israel’s Strong Rejection of Allegations
Israeli officials firmly denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and biased.
Ambassador Danny Danon condemned the claims, stating:
“The Secretary-General chooses once again to take as fact baseless accusations steeped in biased publications. Israel will not allow this slander to stand.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated the rejection during a UN Security Council session, accusing Guterres of downplaying Hamas atrocities committed during the October 7, 2023 attacks, in which Hamas fighters also allegedly engaged in rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence.
Broader Context and Past UN Findings
The UN’s annual Conflict-Related Sexual Violence report is an international benchmark for tracking sexual violence in wars and conflicts.
A March 2025 UN Commission of Inquiry report alleged that Israel had “increasingly employed sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence” against Palestinians — particularly in detention settings — as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination.
Sde Teiman and other detention facilities were identified as key sites of abuse, with witness testimonies describing forced nudity, rape, assault, and other inhumane treatment. Survivors and medical experts highlighted long-term physical and psychological harm.
However, the UN report also documented sexual violence by Hamas during the October 2023 attacks and against Israeli hostages held in Gaza, indicating violations committed by both sides in the conflict.
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Legal and Diplomatic Implications
This latest UN warning places Israel under increased diplomatic pressure from the international community. Listing in the 2025 UN sexual violence report could have long-term political, legal, and reputational consequences, potentially impacting Israel’s relations with key allies and its standing in global human rights discussions.
Human rights organizations have called for independent international investigations into both Israeli and Hamas actions to ensure justice for all victims.
Conclusion
As the Israel–Palestine conflict continues, allegations of sexual violence, war crimes, and human rights abuses remain central to international debate. Whether Israel appears in the 2025 UN Conflict-Related Sexual Violence report will depend on its willingness to cooperate with the UN’s demands for transparency and accountability.