UN adds Israeli and Russian forces to blacklist over conflict-related sexual violence allegations

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United Nations: The United Nations has added Israeli and Russian armed and security forces to its blacklist of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence for the first time, according to an annual report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres due to be released on Friday.

The report lists 77 government and non-government groups suspected of involvement in rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict zones around the world.

Israeli forces, including the military, police and prison service, were added over allegations involving Palestinian detainees held during the Gaza conflict. The report said the UN documented patterns of sexual violence in Israeli detention facilities in 2025, including allegations of rape, gang rape, forced nudity, abusive strip searches and threats of rape.

According to the report, investigators verified several incidents involving men, women and children from Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Some victims were allegedly assaulted repeatedly while in detention.

Russian armed and security forces were also added to the blacklist over allegations of sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilian detainees during the war in Ukraine. The report said the UN verified hundreds of cases in Russian-controlled areas, with most victims being men.

The report also repeated earlier accusations against Hamas over sexual violence committed during and after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Hamas was added to the blacklist last year.

The UN said many allegations against Hamas could not be independently confirmed because investigators were not given full access needed to carry out inquiries.

Israeli officials strongly rejected the findings and accused the UN of bias. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, called the decision outrageous and criticised the UN for placing Israel and Hamas on the same blacklist. He said Israel had provided documents and information challenging the allegations and announced that the country would suspend contact with Guterres.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein described the decision as shameful and accused the UN of unfairly targeting Israel.

Russia also rejected the accusations. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general remained open to dialogue despite the criticism.

The report noted that Ukraine was not added to the blacklist, although investigators documented several cases involving Ukrainian authorities, most of which occurred before 2025. 

Pic Credit: AFP