MoSD Calls for Protection and Accountability Following UN Report
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development underscored the significance of the findings contained in the United Nations Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which documented serious violations against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Ministry stated that the report provides further confirmation of the urgent need to protect civilians and hold perpetrators of grave violations accountable in accordance with international law.
The Ministry noted that the UN report sheds light on the suffering of victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and reflects the importance of international efforts aimed at documenting crimes and violations committed against Palestinians, particularly women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The Ministry emphasized that the findings of the report cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader humanitarian and social reality facing Palestinians amid ongoing military attacks, blockade, forced displacement, and escalating settler violence. These conditions have heightened the risks faced by women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, underscoring the need to strengthen protection measures and ensure that victims and survivors have access to essential services and support.
The Ministry further stated that the ongoing Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip, coupled with increasing settler violence in the West Bank, and the resulting killings, forced displacement, and destruction of social and economic structures, have exacerbated the vulnerabilities of at-risk groups and increased their need for protection, care, and psychosocial support.
The Ministry stressed that protecting victims and survivors and ensuring their access to essential services, specialized care, and psychosocial support constitute both a legal and humanitarian responsibility that requires urgent international action, particularly in light of the continued violations and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
It further noted that the report’s findings are consistent with documentation produced by international and human rights organizations regarding grave violations committed against Palestinians, including women, children, prisoners, and detainees. The Ministry therefore called for independent and transparent investigations and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The Ministry urged the international community and the United Nations to take practical measures to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians, activate international accountability mechanisms, and end the policy of impunity, in a manner that guarantees justice for victims and survivors and safeguards their dignity and fundamental rights.
In concluding its statement, the Ministry affirmed that protecting the Palestinian people and defending their fundamental rights will remain a national and humanitarian priority, and that achieving justice for victims and survivors is essential to promoting peace, security, and respect for international law.
The full report is attached:
https://www.un.org/unispal/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/secretary-general-2026report-on-sexual-violence-in-conflict.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawSOeq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFueHZYNlVBeUIyemd5bzBLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHimxM9bJ1EmB3Lcqp2L-Dg_khH8FL3AtQGSwcj9uVz_4tQOYTrULrsVAsPzh_aem_gBdqYmmpAJUSLmwxuF3ofA