A group of experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, including Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, have issued a statement calling for the investigation of alleged rights violations against Palestinian women and girls in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The experts expressed concern over reports of arbitrary executions of Palestinian women and children, as well as the arbitrary detention of hundreds of Palestinian women, including human rights defenders, journalists, and humanitarian workers, since the start of the conflict on October 7.

The statement highlighted disturbing details such as reports of deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killings of Palestinian women and children, and instances of inhuman treatment in detention, including denial of basic necessities like food and medicine. The experts also raised alarm over allegations of sexual assault, such as strip searches by male Israeli army officers and reports of rape of female Palestinian detainees.

The experts emphasized the need for an independent, thorough investigation into these allegations and called on Israel to cooperate with any probe. They warned that the alleged acts could constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, potentially amounting to serious crimes under international criminal law that could be prosecuted under the Rome Statute.

The statement was jointly issued by Reem Alsalem and Francesca Albanese, alongside members of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. Special Rapporteurs and independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council play a crucial role in reporting and advising on specific thematic issues or country situations.