AMMAN — A new confrontation has erupted between Israel and the United Nations after the world body added Israel to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence, a move that prompted Tel Aviv to sever ties with Secretary-General António Guterres’s office and intensified international scrutiny of the Gaza war.

 

The designation, included in the UN secretary-general’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, marks the first time Israel has been placed on the blacklist and opens a new chapter in the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and the United Nations.

 

Last August, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Israel of possible inclusion on the list, but "incidents and patterns of sexual violence continued to be documented by the United Nations" in in the occupied Palestinian territories, states his report, which is to be sent to Security Council members.

 

The document says that despite this warning, UN investigators faced "continued denial of access" from authorities in Israel.

 

"In 2025, patterns of sexual violence against Palestinians detained in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory continued to be documented," the report says.

 

The perpetrators are identified by the UN as members of the Israeli military, security forces, and prison services.

 

Israel responded immediately.

 

On Thursday, Israel denounced the "shameful and absurd" decision by Guterres that would effectively place Israel and Hamas -- already on the list -- on equal footing.

 

Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon has rejected the findings, accusing Guterres of promoting what he described as “false allegations against Israel.”

 

“We are done with this secretary-general,” Danon said, announcing that Israel would suspend contacts with Guterres’s office.

 

The move comes at a time of growing international pressure on Israel over the Gaza war, with increasing attention focused on allegations surrounding detention conditions and the treatment of Palestinians.

 

According to the report, the United Nations verified 31 cases of conflict-related sexual violence allegedly committed against Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

 

The cases involved 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl.

 

The report said that the alleged violations included rape, gang rape, forced nudity, violence against genitals and threats of sexual assault carried out by members of the Israeli military, police and prison service.

 

UN officials stressed that the findings should be viewed as indicative of broader patterns rather than a comprehensive record of violations.

 

The report also stated that investigators faced obstacles in conducting a full assessment, citing restrictions on access and difficulties in independently verifying additional allegations.

 

The United Nations also said that some detainees were allegedly threatened against reporting abuses, while access to detention facilities remained limited.

 

The latest development follows warnings issued last year that Israel could be formally added to the blacklist if concerns regarding detention practices and allegations of abuse were not adequately addressed.