A recent report presented to the UN Human Rights Council has concluded that Israel’s military actions in Gaza have disproportionately affected Palestinian women and girls through various forms of gender-based violence since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023. This analysis, conducted by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, paints a grim picture of the ongoing impact on Palestinian females.
The report shows that females represent 33% of over 46,000 fatalities in Gaza since the conflict reignited, a significant increase from 15% and 22% during the 2008 and 2014 conflicts respectively. This uptick is attributed to the Israel Security Force’s (ISF) utilization of heavy air bombs and a possible expansion in targeting criteria. The increased risk in populated areas ties directly to gender roles that assign women responsibilities within home settings, intensifying their exposure to such attacks.
Specific incidents recounted in the report include verified cases of intentional targeting of civilian women and girls by the ISF, such as the killing of a pregnant woman en route to a hospital. Moreover, the conflict has severely impacted Palestinian women’s access to critical healthcare, namely through attacks on facilities offering sexual and reproductive health services. This situation creates perilous conditions for childbirth and aligns with acts deemed genocidal under the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention.
Beyond physical violence, the lack of access to menstrual products has led to increased risks of infections and subsequent reproductive health issues. Additionally, reports indicate that both male and female Palestinians have experienced sexual violence, often carried out under orders or with tacit encouragement from senior military figures. This violence underscores a systematic strategy of intimidation and control.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the report’s findings, criticizing the UN’s focus as misguided and accusing it of ignoring crimes committed by Hamas. Netanyahu’s statement calls the accusations against Israel baseless, emphasizing alleged war crimes by Hamas as the more pressing issue.
Given the gravity of these allegations and their potential implications under international law, the report urges sustained international scrutiny and protective measures for the vulnerable populations within Palestinian territories.