Tensions between Israel and the UN are at a new low. Israel’s UN ambassador announced on Thursday that all relations with Secretary General Antonio Guterres are being suspended. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues the military operation unabated: he has ordered the army to take 70 percent of the Gaza Strip.
Journalist at HLN
Source: Belga
The immediate reason for the diplomatic boycott are reports that Israel is being added to a UN ‘blacklist’ of countries linked to sexual violence during conflicts.
“We are done with this Secretary General,” UN Ambassador Danny Danon said in a video message on
Report on sexual violence
Danon refers to an unpublished UN report on sexual violence in conflict areas. Traditionally, that report is first shared with the states involved before official publication.
In August last year, the authors of the report warned that Israel might be added to the list of parties suspected of or responsible for sexual violence during armed conflicts. Hamas is already on that list.
The UN then referred to “credible information” about sexual violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinian prisoners in detention centers. They also pointed out that UN inspectors were not given access to those locations. “We have invited UN representatives to Israel to investigate these ridiculous allegations,” Danon responded. “They chose not to come and continue their campaign against Israel.”
Relations between Israel and the United Nations have been historically difficult and have deteriorated further since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the war in Gaza. Israel mainly blames Guterres and other UN officials for their sharp criticism of Israeli military operations in Gaza. In 2024, Guterres was declared persona non grata in Israel.
Netanyahu continues military course
As the diplomatic battle intensifies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a new phase in the war. In a video message on Israeli television, he announced that the army has been ordered to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip. “We currently have a stranglehold on Hamas,” the prime minister said.
According to Netanyahu, Israel controlled about 50 percent of the Gaza Strip when the October ceasefire took effect. That share has now reportedly risen to 60 percent. “My mission is to get to 70 percent,” the prime minister said during a conference in the occupied West Bank.
