Hamas to be added to UN sexual violence ‘blacklist’

Its inclusion this year follows a report by the Dinah Project, a charity combating sexual violence, that "widespread and systemic" rape was used by the group as a "genocidal strategy", based on previously unheard survivor's testimony.

Some of the evidence laid out in that report included was the testimony of an attempted rape survivor, accounts of 17 eyewitnesses and information gathered from 15 released hostages.

It also included conversations with therapists who treated victims who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Hamas.

Throughout the report, accounts of the atrocities committed by Hamas also included genital mutilation.

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio António Guterres also sent a letter to Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, placing the Jewish State "on notice" about its own possible listing next year.

While Israel does not appear on the list in this edition, Guterres indicated "significant concern" about potential abuse, citing allegations of the rape of Palestinian detainees.

In response, Danon rejected the allegations as “unfounded” and based on “biased publications,” and said that Israel's potential listing alongside groups like Hamas, Al Qaeda and Isis would be "absurd".

He said: “Today, I received an unusual letter from the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, spreading a serious accusation against the State of Israel ‘regarding sexual violence against Palestinian detainees’. 

"The secretary-general has once again chosen to adopt baseless accusations, relying on biased publications.

"The UN should focus on the shocking war crimes of Hamas and the immediate release of all hostages. Israel will not be deterred from defending its citizens and will continue to act in accordance with international law.”