In a significant development in its global assessment of conflict-related sexual violence, the United Nations has officially added the armed and security forces of both the Russian Federation and Israel to the annex of its annual report. The report, submitted by the Secretary-General, documents verified patterns of sexual violence that occurred during the 2025 calendar year.
Israeli Forces Listed In U.N. Report
Israeli armed and security forces have been added to the annex of the U.N. Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, which documented verified cases of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees and called for investigations and accountability.
The report, which covers 2025, said the United Nations verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against Palestinians detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, including rape, gang rape, attempted rape, violence targeting genitals, forced nudity and threats of rape.
According to the report, the U.N. verified cases involving 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank. Most incidents occurred in detention and interrogation facilities, while others took place at checkpoints and during Israeli military operations.
The report said the verified cases should be viewed as indicative rather than comprehensive because U.N. investigators were denied access to detention facilities and Gaza. It also cited allegations that detainees faced threats discouraging them from reporting abuse.
The report also noted allegations of sexual violence made by former hostages released from Gaza. However, the United Nations said it was unable to verify those claims because Israel had not granted access to competent U.N. bodies to conduct investigations.
The report said Hamas remained listed in the annex of the Secretary-General’s report following allegations of sexual violence linked to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. It said Hamas had not acknowledged incidents of sexual violence, made commitments to address violations or provided information on measures to hold perpetrators accountable.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called on Israel to immediately cease all acts of sexual violence, implement measures to prevent and address such abuses in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions, and grant unrestricted access to relevant U.N. bodies to investigate allegations of conflict-related sexual violence.
The report also called for accountability for sexual violence crimes committed during and after the October 7 attacks and urged Hamas to take measures to address allegations of sexual violence. It further called on Israel to ensure Palestinian detainees are treated with dignity and to investigate and prosecute allegations of sexual violence involving Palestinian prisoners.
Israel Rejects U.N. Findings
Israel’s foreign ministry rejected the U.N. decision to include Israeli entities in the annex of the Secretary-General’s report on conflict-related sexual violence, calling the move “shameful and absurd.”
In a statement posted on social media, the ministry accused the United Nations of political bias against Israel and said the decision sought to create a “false symmetry” between Israel and Hamas over allegations of sexual violence linked to the conflict.
The ministry also criticized U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, accusing him of advancing what it called baseless allegations against Israel. It said Israel had “comprehensively, thoroughly and unequivocally” rejected the accusations contained in the report.
Israel further announced that it would sever ties with the Secretary-General’s office and would not resume engagement until a new U.N. secretary-general is appointed.
U.N. Report Lists Russian Armed And Security Forces
The report details verified incidents perpetrated by Russian armed and security forces against civilians and prisoners of war in Ukraine.
The report said U.N. human rights monitors verified 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence attributed to Russian armed and security forces, including the Russian armed forces, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
The violations included rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, electric shocks and beatings to the genitals. According to the report, the verified cases affected 280 men, 26 women and four girls.
According to the findings, UN monitoring efforts in the region were systematically obstructed by Russian authorities, who denied access to detention facilities where alleged abuses occurred.
U.N. Also Documents Cases Linked To Ukrainian Forces
The U.N. human rights monitoring mission also documented 31 cases of conflict-related sexual violence involving Ukrainian armed forces, security service and penitentiary staff, most of which occurred before 2025. Those cases affected 27 men and four women, including prisoners of war and civilian detainees.
In its recommendations, the Secretary-General called on Russia to immediately cease all acts of sexual violence, investigate credible allegations, ensure accountability and grant unrestricted access to U.N. monitors and service providers in areas and detention facilities under its control. The report also urged Ukrainian authorities to prevent sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
9,788 cases verified globally
UN Special Representative Pramila Patten warned that the 9,788 cases verified globally in 2025 reflect a climate of increasing impunity. Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all listed parties, both State and non-State, to cease all acts of sexual violence, implement concrete preventive measures, and grant unfettered access to UN monitors.
