United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Israel and Russia could be formally added next year to a UN list of parties “credibly suspected” of committing sexual violence in conflict, unless they take immediate action to address allegations.

The warning comes in Guterres’ annual report to the UN Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence, which documents repeated patterns of abuse verified by UN monitors.

Allegations Against Israeli Forces

The report expresses “grave concern” over accusations involving Israeli forces, particularly in their treatment of Palestinian detainees. Evidence cited by UN monitors from several prisons, a detention facility, and a military base includes incidents of genital violence, prolonged forced nudity, and degrading strip searches.

Although Israel has denied UN monitors access, Guterres urged the government to end all acts of sexual violence, launch credible investigations, adopt enforceable codes of conduct, and permit international oversight.

Earlier this year, UN-appointed experts accused Israel of using “systematic sexual, reproductive and gender-based violence” against Palestinians, citing a case in which Israeli soldiers allegedly gang raped a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention facility—an incident that led to the victim’s hospitalization and the detention of nine soldiers.

Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and based on biased sources, urging the UN to focus on Hamas and the release of Israeli hostages.

Allegations Against Russian Forces

The report also raises serious concerns over violations allegedly committed by Russian forces and allied groups against Ukrainian prisoners of war. In more than 70 detention facilities across Ukraine and Russia, the UN documented cases of genital torture, electric shocks, forced nudity, and other degrading treatment used to extract confessions or intelligence.

Guterres criticized Russia for refusing to engage with his special envoy and called for full cooperation, immediate investigations, and accountability measures.

Possible UN Listing in 2025

Neither Israel nor Russia currently appears in the annex to the Secretary-General’s report, which names parties suspected of conflict-related sexual violence. However, Guterres made clear that both could be listed next year if credible violations continue or remain unaddressed.

The move would mark a significant diplomatic step, as inclusion on the list can carry political repercussions and intensify international pressure on the governments involved.