Izzah Adnan brings forth the challenges faced by Palestinian women during the harrowing conflict occurring in Gaza.
Content Warning: Mentions of Sexual Assault, Rape and Sexual Violence
In a world where some women enjoy the privilege of choosing an 'unhinged' existence, a stark dichotomy emerges when juxtaposed with the challenges Palestinian women face. These hardships, often overlooked globally, strip them of the very essence of humanity.
Since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7, UN experts from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have raised the alarm regarding reports of severe human rights violations [1]. While this has been an ongoing issue since the mid-twentieth century, the act of genocide recently escalated when Israel responded to an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. The Israeli assault, marked by a devastating bombardment and ground invasion, has displaced over 80 per cent of Gaza's population and left much of the territory in ruins [2]. The distressing information reported by Palestinian journalists, like Plestia Alaqad and Motaz Azaiza, as well as sources from Al Jazeera, reveal that Palestinian women and girls have been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often alongside their family members. As of February 29, 2024, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reports that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been executed in Israeli attacks, with the majority of them being women and children [3].
The international community alongside UN experts expressed shock at the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children, even in places where they sought food and water, refuge in hospitals or while attempting to flee [4]. Tragically, some were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth, signifying an attempt to convey non-threatening intent, when they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces [5].
In the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli forces have intensified raids, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties and the detention of thousands. The UN experts express deep concern over the arbitrary detention of Palestinian women and girls, including human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian workers in Gaza and the West Bank. Disturbing reports emerge of inhuman treatment, including denial of menstrual pads, food, and medicine, coupled with severe beatings [6]. Shockingly, on at least one occasion, Palestinian women detained in Gaza were allegedly kept in a cage in the rain and cold without food [7].
“We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were reportedly threatened with rape and sexual violence,” experts* said [8]. The Israeli army's alleged act of taking degrading photos of female detainees, including images of their undergarments, and uploading them online further deepens the concern.
The situation worsens as an unknown number of Palestinian women and children have reportedly gone missing after contact with the Israeli army in Gaza. Reports speak of a female infant forcibly transferred by the Israeli army into Israel, raising disturbing questions about the separation of children from their parents [9].
In response to these harrowing reports, the UN experts call for an independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, and effective investigation into the allegations, urging Israel to cooperate fully. They stress the gravity of these alleged acts, suggesting they may constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, potentially amounting to serious crimes under the Rome Statute [10]. The experts emphasise that those responsible for these apparent crimes must be held accountable, asserting the entitlement of victims and their families to full redress and justice. Yet, despite the International Court of Justice’s binding orders on Israel to cease the genocide, there has been a stark lack of compliance with these rulings [11].
The Geneva statement, released on February 19, 2024, serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the plight of Palestinian women and girls caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict [12]. The international community is called upon to heed the distressing cries for justice, ensuring that the rights to life, safety, health, and dignity of Palestinian women and girls are upheld without compromise.
*The experts: Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Dorothy Estrada Tanck (Chair), Claudia Flores, Ivana Krstić, Haina Lu, and Laura Nyirinkindi, Working group on discrimination against women and girls.
ENDNOTES
[1] - “Israel/OPt: UN Experts Appalled by Reported Human Rights Violations against Palestinian Women and Girls.” Office of the High Commissioner, 19 Feb. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/israelopt-un-experts-appalled-reported-human-rights-violations-against.
[2] - Amnesty International. “Israeli Attacks Wipe out Entire Families in Gaza.” Amnesty International, 20 Oct. 2023, www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-as-israeli-attacks-wipe-out-entire-families-in-gaza/
[3] - AJLabs, ‘Israel-Gaza war in maps and charts: Live tracker’. Al Jazeera, 28th February 2024,
[4] - Marsi, Federica, et al. “Israel’s War on Gaza Updates: “Life Draining out of Gaza”-UN on Aid Attack.” Al Jazeera, 29 Feb. 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/29/israels-war-on-gaza-live-mass-killing-of-children-in-slow-motion-ngo.
[5] - Mackintosh, Clarissa Ward, Eliza. “She Was Fleeing with Her Grandson, Who Was Holding a White Flag. Then She Was Shot.” CNN, 26 Jan. 2024, edition.cnn.com/2024/01/26/middleeast/hala-khreis-white-flag-shooting-gaza-cmd-intl/index.html.
[6] - “Israel/OPt: UN Experts Appalled by Reported Human Rights Violations against Palestinian Women and Girls.” Office of the High Commissioner, 19 Feb. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/israelopt-un-experts-appalled-reported-human-rights-violations-against.
[7] - Desk, DH Web. “Palestinian Women, Girls Sexually Assaulted by Israeli Forces, UN Experts Raise Concern.” Deccan Herald, https://www.deccanherald.com/world/palestinian-women-girls-sexually-assaulted-by-israeli-forces-un-experts-raise-concern-2901694.
[8] - “Israel/OPt: UN Experts Appalled by Reported Human Rights Violations against Palestinian Women and Girls.” Office of the High Commissioner, 19 Feb. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/israelopt-un-experts-appalled-reported-human-rights-violations-against.
[10] - News, A. B. C. “Israeli Security Forces May Have Violated International Law in West Bank Hospital Raid, Experts Say.” ABC News, abcnews.go.com/International/idf-may-have-violated-international-law-west-bank-hospital-raid/story?id=106810456.
[9] - World Health Organisation. “Women and Newborns Bearing the Brunt of the Conflict in Gaza, UN Agencies Warn.” WHO, 3 Nov. 2023, www.who.int/news/item/03-11-2023-women-and-newborns-bearing-the-brunt-of-the-conflict-in-gaza-un-agencies-warn.
[11] - Milisic, Nils Adler,Alma. “ICJ Updates: Court Orders Israel to Prevent Acts of Genocide in Gaza.” Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/26/live-icj-to-issue-preliminary-ruling-in-south-africa-genocide-case-against-i#:~:text=The%20ruling%20issued%20by%20the,assistance%20to%20civilians%20in%20Gaza.
[12] - “Arms Exports to Israel Must Stop Immediately: UN Experts.” Office of the High Commissioner, 23 Feb. 2024, https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/arms-exports-israel-must-stop-immediately-un-experts#:~:text=GENEVA%20(23%20February%202024)%20%E2%80%93,%2C%20UN%20experts*%20warned%20today.
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