In a damning revelation, a recent United Nations report has uncovered shocking instances of sexual violence, including rape, perpetrated during the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas. The report, delivered by Pramila Patten, the U.N. Secretary-General’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, paints a harrowing picture of atrocities committed against women, with clear evidence indicating that female hostages were subjected to brutal assaults.
Despite the lack of comprehensive forensic evidence collected from the scene, which may hinder a full understanding of the scale of violence against women, the report underscores the urgent need for a thorough investigation into these heinous crimes. Patten emphasized that the true prevalence of sexual violence during the attacks and their aftermath might take years to emerge, citing trauma, stigma, fear, and the high mortality rate among the victims as significant barriers to reporting.
While the report refrained from attributing the sexual violence directly to Hamas or any other armed groups, it marks a pivotal moment as the first independent inquiry by an international body outside Israel into reports of sexual violence during the October assault. Hamas officials have vehemently denied allegations of rape, remaining silent on the U.N.'s findings.
The October 7 attack, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and led to the abduction of approximately 250 hostages by Hamas, prompted Israel to retaliate with a full-scale war in Gaza. The conflict, which ensued, has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Evidence gathered by The Wall Street Journal, including photographs and eyewitness testimonies, corroborates the U.N.'s findings, revealing mutilation of bodies and signs of sexual assault on women and girls. Israeli investigators are diligently reviewing photographs and conducting interviews to reconstruct the events of October 7, aiming to build a robust legal case against the perpetrators.
In addition to sexual violence, the U.N. report also highlights widespread mutilation of bodies, with several victims found partially or fully decapitated. Witnesses reported appalling scenes of rape and gang rape, with some even witnessing the violation of female corpses.
The report's findings underscore the urgent need for accountability and justice for the victims of sexual violence in Gaza. While the investigation sheds light on the atrocities committed, it also calls attention to the ongoing violence and the urgent need for international action to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
In response to the report, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat welcomed the U.N.'s recognition of sexual crimes by Hamas. However, he emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into Palestinian claims of mistreatment in Israeli detention, cautioning against creating an unjust equivalence between the two parties.
