UN adds Israeli entities to sexual violence monitoring list

The United Nations has included Israeli entities on its list of countries and organisations under scrutiny for sexual violence in conflict zones, alongside Hamas and other armed groups.

The Israeli Prison Service will be included in the 2026 list, while other Israeli authorities have been placed under a monitoring framework that could lead to future inclusion, the report said, The Jerusalem Post writes.

A country or armed group remains on the UN Secretary-General’s list for a minimum of one year. Hamas was added in August 2025.

The development follows earlier findings by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, which stated there were reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed acts of rape and sexual violence during the October 7 attack and during the captivity of hostages in Gaza.

Israeli officials have alleged that pressure was exerted on the UN following Hamas’ inclusion to also list Israel.

In August 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres placed Israel “on notice” regarding potential inclusion in the UN’s formal blacklist of parties suspected of patterns of sexual violence in armed conflict, citing “significant concerns” over alleged abuses. Israel has denied the allegations.

Following the decision, Israel said it would freeze relations with the UN Secretary-General’s office and cancel a planned visit by Pramila Patten. Israeli officials also stated they would suspend contact with the office while António Guterres remains in post.

"The UN Secretary-General has put Israel on the same blacklist as Hamas, ISIS, and the most depraved terrorist organisations in the world," Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told The Jerusalem Post. "This is a moral disgrace and a complete collapse of any credibility left to the UN."

The article also notes that in Israel, the decision is viewed as politicised.

By Sabina Mammadli