The United Nations has denounced normalization of the sexual abuse of Palestinian abductees by Israeli forces following several reports of rape in Israeli jails.

The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence, Pramilla Patten has expressed deep concerns in a recent statement, regarding recent United Nations reports, particularly from Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), that reveal a troubling deterioration in detention conditions for Palestinian men, women, and children in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023.
 
“Sexual violence and sexualized torture in any form and in any context, and particularly in detention settings, is unacceptable. Such abhorrent acts not only constitute a grave violation of human rights and human dignity but they also undermine efforts towards peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
 
Patten noted that disturbing reports have emerged of sexual violence and other inhuman and degrading treatment against Palestinian men and women, which could amount to "sexualized torture".
 
“Sexual violence and sexualized torture in detention settings must never be normalized,” she said, adding, “Impunity emboldens perpetrators, silences victims and undermines prospects for peace. Perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be held accountable and justice must be served.”
 
She urged Israeli officials to allow unrestricted access to international organizations for inspection of detention facilities in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, while also calling for prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigations into all violations by relevant UN bodies.
 
She recalled media attention to the recent case of a Palestinian male detainee who was hospitalized in July with severe injuries, due to sexual violence in the Israeli Sde Teiman military base.