On Thursday, United Nations experts released a report accusing Israel of committing “genocidal acts” against Palestinians, alleging the systematic destruction of women’s healthcare facilities during the Gaza conflict. The report also claims that sexual violence was used as a deliberate wartime strategy.

Israel’s permanent mission to the U.N. in Geneva rejected the report, labeling its findings as unfounded, biased, and lacking credibility.

According to the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, the Israeli authorities’ actions have severely disrupted the reproductive health of Palestinians in Gaza. These actions, which included measures aimed at preventing births, are considered genocidal acts under the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention. Additionally, the commission highlighted the rise in maternity-related deaths due to restricted medical supplies, labeling this as part of the crime against humanity of extermination.

The report also accused Israeli security forces of engaging in forced public stripping and sexual assault as part of standard procedures to punish Palestinians following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023. Israel, however, strongly denied these allegations. The Israeli mission responded, asserting that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have clear directives and policies prohibiting such conduct, and that their review processes adhere to international standards.

A prior report published in June 2024 by the Commission also detailed significant human rights violations committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the October 7, 2023 attack, including torture and degrading treatment.

Israel is a signatory to the Genocide Convention and was ordered by the International Court of Justice in January 2024 to take action to prevent genocide during its conflict with Hamas. However, Israel is not a member of the Rome Statute, which grants the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over individual cases of genocide and crimes against humanity.

South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing the country of genocide in Gaza.

The conflict erupted after Hamas launched a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a devastating war in Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, the war has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians. Meanwhile, Israeli reports state that Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.