Human Rights Council Fifty-eighth Session Notes (copy)

Overview and Methodology
  • Focus on systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and gender-based violence by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) since October 7, 2023.
  • Investigations reveal these acts are part of broader discriminatory violations perpetrated within a systemic oppression framework.
  • Utilized victim/witness testimonies, digital evidence, and reports from civil society.
Applicable Law
  • International humanitarian law applies to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Gaza.
  • Occupation entails obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Female Casualties and Disproportionate Impact of Heavy Explosives
  • High civilian casualty ratio emphasizes the disproportionate impact on women and children.
  • Over 46,000 people killed since October 7, 2023; identified fatalities include 24,000 women and children, accounting for nearly 59%.
  • Specific tracking of female fatalities shows increased risks owing to intensified Israeli military operations.
Targeting of Women and Girls
  • Documented incidents of deliberate targeting of women and girls by ISF leading to fatalities during evacuations or while accessing healthcare.
  • Events showcase a pattern of disregard for life, dignity, and safety, with clear evidence of intentionality.
Destruction through Reproductive Violence and Harms
  • Attacks on healthcare facilities severely limit access to reproductive health services, affecting around 540,000 women and girls.
  • Direct bombing of maternity hospitals leads to significant reproductive health complications.
Systematic Use of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
  • Unequal treatment of male and female members of the Palestinian community; sexual violence used as a tactic of dominance.
  • Reports of public shaming and sexual violence during ground operations, particularly towards women.
Gendered Impacts of Displacement
  • Over 90% of Gaza's population displaced, exacerbating existing gender roles and responsibilities.
  • Reports highlight deterioration of women's mental health due to conditions of war and displacement.
Impunity and Accountability
  • Lack of effective measures against perpetrators of gender-based violence; Israeli authorities largely unresponsive to evidence.
  • Documents cultural and systemic failures to address gender violence as part of military and occupation policies.
Legal Findings and Analysis
  • Commission identifies acts of extermination and wilful killing as crimes against humanity, particularly targeting women and children.
  • Noted that starvation is used as a weapon of war, leading to long-term reproductive harms for women.
Conclusions
  • Findings reveal systematic targeting of women and children, with implications for their reproductive rights and health.
  • Identifies a climate of impunity enabling continued violence against the Palestinian population, particularly women and girls.
Recommendations
To Israel
  • End unlawful occupation.
  • Protect civilians and cease attacks on reproductive healthcare facilities.
  • Investigate and prosecute gender-based violence, ensuring accountability.
To Member States
  • Uphold international human rights obligations; support accountability mechanisms.
To International Organizations
  • Encourage women's involvement in humanitarian efforts; recognize the impacts of war on women’s health and rights.
Events and Incidents Noted
  • Documented testimonies from women and men highlight abuse patterns, including forced public nudity, sexual harassment, and systemic violence which forms part of broader strategies of control and submission.
  • Essential health services are reported as deliberately targeted, leading to significant threats to reproductive health and survival of women and their newborns.