UN-backed experts accuse Israel of sexual and gender-based violence in Gaza

Israel said it took extraordinary measures to avoid harming civilians in the 15-month war, which has been paused by a fragile ceasefire (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

United Nations-backed experts have accused Israel of “the systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence” in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s mission to the UN in Geneva rejected the accusations and accused the commission, which was created by the UN-backed Human Rights Council, of relying on “second-hand, single, uncorroborated sources”.