UN Investigation Alleges Sexual Violence During Hamas Attack on Israel
Last Updated on March 5, 2024 2:25 pm
A United Nations team, led by special envoy for sexual violence in conflict Pramila Patten, released a report on Monday claiming “reasonable grounds to believe” that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred during the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. The team visited Israel between January 29 and February 14 to gather, analyze, and verify information related to sexual violence during the mentioned attacks.
The 24-page UN report states that there is credible circumstantial information indicating various forms of sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexualized torture, and cruel treatment. The report points to Hamas as the responsible party, a claim consistently rejected by the Palestinian militant group.
Hamas fighters allegedly attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the seizure of 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent retaliation in the Gaza Strip reportedly caused around 30,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave.
The UN team asserts that a comprehensive investigation is needed to determine the extent, scope, and specific attribution of the sexual violence. The report also mentions allegations of sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, during house raids, and at checkpoints, with detention centers located in Israel.
The UN team raised these allegations with the Israeli Ministry of Justice and Military Advocate General, who claimed not to have received any complaints of sexual violence against members of the Israeli Defense Forces. Israel, critical of the UN’s response to the October 7 attacks, had previously been urged by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to vigorously investigate and prosecute sexual violence, emphasizing the condemnation of gender-based violence.
In response to the UN report, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan accused Hamas of ongoing sexual violence against Israeli women, calling for relentless pressure on Hamas to end such actions and release all hostages immediately.