Fact Check: "IDF raping prisoners nearly to death"
What We Know
Reports indicate that during the ongoing Gaza conflict, members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been accused of committing acts of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. A comprehensive investigation by the UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory concluded that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against Palestinians is systematic and part of the operational procedures of the Israeli Security Forces (ISF) (source-1). In particular, the report highlighted instances of rape, sexual torture, and genital mutilation inflicted upon both men and women (source-1).
Additionally, a March 2025 report by the UN Human Rights Commission stated that sexual violence against Palestinians is often carried out under orders or with encouragement from Israeli leadership, indicating a troubling pattern of abuse (source-1). Testimonies from released Palestinian detainees corroborate these claims, detailing severe mistreatment and torture, including sexual violence (source-3).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim of sexual violence by the IDF is substantial and comes from multiple credible sources, including UN reports and human rights organizations. The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which conducted a thorough investigation, found that the prevalence of sexual violence is not only alarming but also systematic, suggesting that it is part of a broader strategy to exert control over the Palestinian population (source-1).
Moreover, the testimonies from Palestinian detainees released back to Gaza provide firsthand accounts of the abuses they suffered, which include sexual violence and torture (source-3). The credibility of these accounts is reinforced by the fact that they align with findings from reputable organizations like B'Tselem, which has documented systematic abuse within the Israeli prison system (source-1).
While there are allegations of sexual misconduct involving female Israeli soldiers and Palestinian inmates, these cases do not negate the broader context of systematic sexual violence perpetrated by the IDF against Palestinian detainees (source-2). The complexity of the situation, including the power dynamics and the ongoing conflict, further complicates the narrative but does not diminish the severity of the allegations.
Conclusion
The claim that IDF personnel have engaged in acts of sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners, including rape, is supported by credible evidence from multiple sources. The systematic nature of these abuses, as detailed in UN reports and corroborated by firsthand accounts from victims, leads to the conclusion that the claim is indeed True.
Sources
- Sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians during the Gaza war
- Israeli conscripts banned as guards after allegations of sex with Palestinian inmate - BBC
- Gazans tell BBC of torture in Israeli detention
- Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israel
- U.S. decries reported sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners - NBC News