Israel Criticizes U.N. Chief’s Handling of October 7 Sexual Assault Report

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re focusing on Israeli disputes with the United Nations, Chinese maritime confrontations with the Philippines, and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian vessels. Sign up now to get World Brief in your inbox every day. The tension between Israel and the U.N. flared up as Israel criticized U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres for what they viewed as a lackluster response to a recent U.N. report detailing sexual violence during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel. The report found evidence of sexual violence in multiple locations, including at the Nova music festival site and Route 232 highway. While the report attributed the attack to Hamas, it did not specify the group responsible for the sexual violence. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned Guterres for not calling a Security Council meeting to discuss the report’s findings, despite the secretary-general lacking the authority to do so. Israel also recalled its U.N. ambassador in protest. The dispute with the U.N. comes after Israel accused the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees of employing individuals linked to terror groups in Gaza. In response, the UNRWA chief accused Israel of fabricating allegations to undermine the agency’s work. The tension between Israel and the U.N. escalated further following accusations against UNRWA staffers for their alleged involvement in the Oct. 7 attack. The international community’s response to the accusations led to a suspension of funding for the agency. In other news, Chinese ships clashed with Philippine coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, leading to injuries among Philippine crew members. Ukraine announced a drone strike on a Russian warship in the Black Sea, demonstrating Kyiv’s ability to strike behind enemy lines. The European Commission proposed measures to bolster the continent’s arms industry in response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In Haiti, armed gangs attempted to seize control of the international airport in a coordinated attack on interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s rule. The situation remains tense in the Caribbean nation as various groups vie for power. Swift’s exclusive concert deal in Singapore sparked debate at the ASEAN summit, with concerns about the deal potentially contradicting the organization’s principles of solidarity and consensus. Stay tuned for more updates on these ongoing global issues.