Israel-Palestine live: Submissions on Israel’s occupation of Palestine at the ICJ start

Stepping away from the ICJ court proceedings, the United Nations on Monday expressed alarm over credible allegations of egregious human rights violations to which Palestinian women and girls continue to be subjected in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

"We are shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children in places where they sought refuge, or while fleeing. Some of them were reportedly holding white pieces of cloth when they were killed by the Israeli army or affiliated forces,” the experts said.

“We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were reportedly threatened with rape and sexual violence,” the report added. 

“Taken together, these alleged acts may constitute grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and amount to serious crimes under international criminal law that could be prosecuted under the Rome Statute,” the experts said.