U.N. Condemns 'Gruesome' Sexual Abuse of Palestinian Prisoner

The U.N. special rapporteur on torture has condemned the alleged sexual abuse of a Palestinian prisoner by Israeli soldiers, calling for accountability. Israeli military prosecutors have requested house arrest for the soldiers involved. The U.N. received multiple reports of alleged torture against Palestinians since October 2023.

The U.N. special rapporteur on torture on Friday condemned a 'particularly gruesome' case of alleged sexual abuse of a Palestinian prisoner by Israeli soldiers and insisted that the perpetrators must be held accountable. 'There are no circumstances in which sexual torture or sexualised inhuman and degrading treatment can be justified,' asserted Special Rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards in a key statement.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military revealed that prosecutors have sought house arrest for soldiers accused of abusing a Palestinian detainee. Israeli media reports indicated that the soldiers involved were accused of sexually abusing a member of an elite Hamas unit at the Sde Teiman detention facility located in the Negev desert, southern Israel.

'This alleged sexual torture involving multiple offenders is particularly gruesome,' remarked Edwards, adding that Israeli authorities had informed her that several soldiers suspected of involvement were currently under investigation. She emphasized that all alleged crimes must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable by civilian courts.

(With inputs from agencies.)