What’s happening

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced an investigation into claims of sexual violence by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women and girls during the October 7 attack, following over 50 days of requests from Israel for such an inquiry.

Why it matters

This investigation signifies a critical step in addressing allegations of gender-based violence in conflict zones and follows significant pressure on the U.N. to respond to these serious accusations. It will focus international attention on the tactics used by Hamas and the impact on Israeli victims.

The announcement

Guterres emphasized the need for a thorough investigation of the reported rapes and sexual assaults, stating that gender-based violence should be condemned anytime, anywhere. His commitment comes after a prolonged period of silence on the issue, raising concerns among Israeli officials and advocacy groups.

Israeli response

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan criticized the delay in the U.N.’s response, pointing out a perceived double standard in how allegations against Israel and those against Hamas are treated. He invited the Secretary-General to an upcoming U.N. event where Israel will present evidence of Hamas’ sexual crimes.

Accusations of bias

Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, an associate professor at Bar-Ilan University, accused U.N. rights bodies of downplaying sexual violence to preserve a narrative of Israel as the aggressor. She called for a strong condemnation of the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war by Hamas.

Investigation timeline

Details on when the U.N. investigation will begin and its duration remain unspecified, leaving the international community awaiting further action.

This story was first published on foxnews.com.