Al Jazeera investigation alleges systematic sexual abuse by Israeli forces
An exclusive report cites UN findings and human rights groups claiming acts amount to crimes against humanity, while Israeli charges against detained officers were subsequently dropped.
An Al Jazeera investigation titled 'Bodies of Evidence: Israel’s Darkest Weapon' presents detailed testimonies from former Palestinian detainees alleging systematic rape, sexual torture, and abuse by Israeli soldiers and guard dogs within detention facilities. The report cites findings from the United Nations and human rights organisations, such as the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which characterise these acts as widespread and potentially constituting crimes against humanity.
Former detainees Muhammad al-Bakri and 'Job' provided accounts of sexual assault, including rape by soldiers and attacks involving guard dogs, occurring in April 2024. Al-Bakri described being stripped, blindfolded, and raped while soldiers filmed the incident, while Job recounted being pinned to the ground and assaulted by female soldiers using artificial objects. Both men stated they were subjected to these abuses while being questioned about the October 2023 Hamas-led attack, despite having no known connection to the events.
The investigation references a UN report published in March 2025 that found evidence of the systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and gender-based violence by Israel since October 7, 2023. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese stated that the brutality has escalated to an unprecedented level, with the intention of destroying the victim's sense of self-worth. She described the acts as vindictive and noted that sexual penetration using objects, including metal rods and knives, has become a recurrent practice.
Legal experts argue that the organised nature of these acts indicates an institutional policy rather than isolated incidents. Triestino Mariniello, a professor at Liverpool John Moores University and part of the legal team representing Gaza’s victims at the International Criminal Court, stated that when such acts are widespread and perpetrators are not prosecuted, they amount to crimes against humanity. He emphasised that the lack of conviction for any soldier or guard underscores a pattern of impunity.
Despite detaining 10 security officers in July 2024 following the leak of a video showing rape at the Sde Teiman detention camp, Israel dropped all charges against them in August 2024. The female officer who leaked the footage, Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, was arrested. Senior Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have used dehumanising language against Palestinians, with Ben-Gvir describing investigations into the abuse as shameful. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterised the leaking of the video as the most severe public relations attack on the country since its founding.
