Jerusalem, Israel—UN experts released a report accusing Israeli forces of committing genocidal acts and sexual violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The report, presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council, details the alleged abuses against Palestinian detainees during the conflict.

According to the report, Israeli forces have been accused of engaging in acts that could amount to genocide, as well as inflicting sexual violence on Palestinian prisoners. The report also highlights the systemic nature of the abuses, suggesting that they may amount to war crimes under international law.

The accusations come as the United Nations-backed rights experts visited Palestinian territories to hear first-hand accounts of abuse in Israeli custody. The experts’ findings shed light on the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, further escalating tensions in the region.

Israeli officials vehemently denied the accusations, calling them baseless and labeling the report as a “blood libel” against the state. They argue that Israel is acting in self-defense against Palestinian militants and terrorist organizations, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Israeli military in ensuring national security.

In response to the report, Palestinian officials have urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions. They point to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank as evidence of the need for intervention to protect Palestinian civilians from further harm.

The report’s release has sparked renewed debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader issue of human rights in the region. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the hopes of finding a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict.