Tel Aviv, Aug. 14 -- Israel's Foreign Ministry on Thursday welcomed the UN's decision to add Hamas to its "blacklist" of groups committing sexual crimes in armed conflicts, calling it an overdue recognition of atrocities committed since October 7.

"Hamas terrorists have committed - and continue to commit - some of the most horrific sexual crimes known to humanity: rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, sexual abuse in captivity. Now, the UN officially recognises this fact," the ministry said.

The ministry said the inclusion came after "hard work" by Israeli diplomats, noting that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had initially opposed the move last year. "Today, the UN is expected to send all members of the General Assembly the Secret...