UN experts demand probe into Israeli sexual abuse of Palestinians

Palestinian women protest against Israel

Tehran, IRNA - A panel of UN experts expressed alarm over credible evidence indicating the sexual abuse of Palestinian women and men by Zionist forces during their raids on Palestinian homes as well as at checkpoints and in detention centers.

In a statement quoted by Reuters, the UN panel said their assessment is based on information relieved from institutions, NGOs as well as direct interviews from the victims who experienced abuse during Israeli incursions or after being detained on different grounds.

Evidence shows some Palestinian women and men sexually abused by the Zionist regime's soldiers, the statement said.

While calling for a thorough investigation into the issue, the United Nations experts revealed that they have also shared these matters with Israel’s Attorney General and the ministry dealing with legal affairs.

According to IRNA, earlier a group of United Nations human rights experts also condemned the Israeli army over the accusation of execution and sexual abuse of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, independent experts affiliated with the UN Human Rights Council called the execution of civilians and sexual assaults against women and children in Gaza "gross violations of human rights".

Palestinian women and girls have reportedly been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often together with family members, including their children, according to information received. “We are shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children in places where they sought refuge, or while fleeing. Some of them were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth when they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces,” the experts said last month.

They said: " We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers.”

The statement also criticized the publishing of photos of Palestinian women in humiliating conditions by Zionist soldiers.

They called for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough and effective investigation into the allegations and for Israel to cooperate with such investigations.