Israel cuts ties with U.N. chief after blacklist entry

Israel said it was cutting ties with the office of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after the U.N. informed it that Israel and its security forces would be added to a list of parties suspected of sexual violence linked to conflict. Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, called the decision political and رفضed placing Israel in the same list as Hamas. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Israel's move was symbolic and stressed that engagement remained the better option. The decision comes amid reports of human rights violations against Palestinians in Israeli detention centers, including Sde Teiman. Israel's Foreign Ministry also condemned the report, while U.N. Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem said Israel's listing was long overdue.