UN report cites Israel and Russia for patterns of sexual violence in conflicts

The United Nations’ special representative on sexual violence in conflicts, Pramila Patten, presented the agency’s annual report documenting 9,788 verified cases of sexual abuse in war and repression worldwide in 2025. The report lists Israeli and Russian security forces among 77 parties identified for “continuous patterns of sexual violence,” citing verified incidents in Gaza, the West Bank and detention centres, including rape, forced nudity, humiliating body searches and threats of assault.

Israel’s UN ambassador called the inclusion “ridiculous,” arguing that Israel’s judicial system already investigates such crimes, while the U.S. ambassador defended Israel, likening the listing to equating a democracy with terrorist groups. The United Nations stressed that the list is a monitoring tool, not a judicial proceeding, and urged stronger prevention, independent investigations and expanded humanitarian and psychological assistance for victims.