Captive Palestinian women
Possible attacks on women by Israeli soldiers examined
February 20, 2024, 4:29 a.m
The conditions of imprisoned Palestinian women are said to be very bad. As if that weren’t enough, some of them have also become victims of attacks and humiliation by Israeli soldiers, is one accusation. The UN Human Rights Council is examining whether human rights violations have occurred.
Seven experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have called for an independent investigation into alleged attacks by Israeli soldiers on Palestinian women and girls. There are “credible allegations of egregious human rights violations” by Israeli soldiers against women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, said the seven experts. Israel rejected the allegations as “abhorrent and unfounded allegations.”
The experts cited reports of women who have been “arbitrarily executed in the Gaza Strip” since the start of the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas, “often together with family members, including their children.” Hundreds of Palestinian women and girls were “arbitrarily” detained and subjected to “inhumane and degrading treatment,” including beatings and denial of menstrual products, food and medicine.
The experts were particularly concerned about evidence of “various forms of sexual assault,” including reports of at least two female prisoners being raped, while others were “stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers.” Prison guards also came into prison cells, used batons against prisoners and kicked and punched the inmates without prior provocation, the Human Rights Israel organization reported. The mistreatment may amount to torture.
Hardly any water for prisoners
Doctors with the organization said inmates reported that prison guards urinated on them and forced them to kiss the Israeli flag. In addition, prison inmates would be held in overcrowded cells and would have to go long periods without water. The experts called for an “independent, impartial, rapid, thorough and effective investigation” into the allegations and called on Israel to cooperate.
The Israeli mission in Geneva said the experts were “motivated by their hatred of Israel and not by the truth.” The Israeli authorities have not received any complaints but are prepared to investigate “specific allegations of misconduct by the Israeli security forces if credible allegations and evidence” are presented.