The United Nations has officially placed Israel on a blacklist of countries suspected of committing sexual violence against civilians, a move that has prompted a strong rebuke from Israel’s foreign ministry. The UN also confirmed the inclusion of Russia on the list, which is part of a broader “conflict-related sexual violence” report released on Friday.

This designation marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny regarding alleged abuses. The report details nearly 10,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence recorded globally in the past year, highlighting the pervasive nature of such crimes in conflict zones.

According to the UN report, credible information was cited regarding sexual violence committed by Israeli security forces against Palestinian detainees. The report also stated that UN inspectors had been denied access to detention facilities where these alleged abuses occurred. Israeli officials had previously extended an invitation for UN representatives to visit, but the UN official responsible for the report, Pramila Patten, stated that she did not receive substantive information on preventive measures taken by Israel.

Patten confirmed that while an invitation was extended, disagreements over the scope of the visit and access issues ultimately led to its suspension, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The UN verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence in 2025, affecting men, women, boys, and girls from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, with violations including rape, gang rape, and various forms of physical and sexual assault.

Israel's foreign ministry reacted swiftly to the announcement, declaring that it would sever all ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This diplomatic fallout underscores the gravity with which Israel views the accusation and the UN's decision. The ministry has previously challenged the allegations, with Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon suggesting that the UN chose not to investigate claims within Israel despite an invitation.

The report outlines a disturbing pattern of violations, including rape, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to genitals, and other degrading acts such as forced nudity and threats of rape. These acts were reportedly inflicted as a form of torture.

This development places Israel alongside Russia, which has also been added to the list based on credible information regarding sexual violence in conflict situations. The UN’s annual report aims to bring attention to and combat these heinous crimes, urging international cooperation and accountability.

The inclusion on this list could have significant diplomatic and political repercussions for both nations. The UN continues to call for thorough investigations and accountability for perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide, emphasizing the need for unimpeded access for its monitoring mechanisms.