Hostages Freed from Gaza Describe Sexual Abuse, Israeli Report Affirms Hamas Employed Sexual Violence as a 'War Tool' on October 7
In a shocking revelation, a new report by the Dinah Project, an Israeli research group, has found that Hamas used sexual violence systematically and tactically as a "weapon of war" during the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. The report, which was published under the auspices of the Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women at Bar-Ilan University, gathered testimonies from 15 returned hostages, an attempted rape survivor, 17 eye and ear witnesses, and 27 first responders.
The report documents the widespread and systematic nature of these crimes, indicating that sexual violence was a deliberate and tactical element of the attacks. One female hostage was beaten, sexually assaulted at gunpoint, and chained for three weeks while in captivity. She was repeatedly asked about the timing of her menstrual cycle. Almost all of the former hostages reported verbal sexual harassment, and some physical sexual harassment, including unwanted touching of private parts. Many of the victims were threatened with rape in the form of forced marriage.
Sadly, many of the victims of sexual violence were murdered by their attackers, resulting in almost no first-hand testimonies. In many instances, authorities did not have a chance to collect sufficient forensic evidence because they were attending scenes while the attacks were still ongoing. This meant that there were often no detailed records or photographs of the crime scenes in the immediate aftermath.
The report highlights the challenges in collecting evidence due to the immediate aftermath of the attacks and the subsequent murders of many victims. The scale of the atrocities committed on the day of the attacks meant that first responders, many of whom were Orthodox Jewish volunteers, were overwhelmed. Their focus was on recovering remains rather than investigation.
The UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, published a report concluding there were reasonable grounds to believe conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the attacks, and that hostages in Gaza were subjected to sexual assaults. However, Hamas has denied the use of sexual violence by its militants, stating that such claims are "unfounded lies and allegations."
The Dinah Project, led by legal scholar Ruth Halperin-Kaddari and Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas, the former chief military prosecutor of the Israel Defense Forces, has called for accountability and international condemnation. The report concludes that the sexual violence perpetrated during the attacks should be recognised as crimes against humanity.
This use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is often intended to intimidate, humiliate, and break the social fabric of the targeted communities. Sexual violence can serve to demoralize populations, undermine their sense of security, and create long-lasting trauma, which aligns with broader strategies used in conflicts to achieve psychological and social objectives. The Dinah Project's call for accountability and international condemnation comes after the UN's acknowledgment of the use of sexual violence during the attacks.
Israel has accused international organizations, including the UN and its agencies, of ignoring widespread sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas and other militant groups during the October 7 attacks. The Dinah Project report is a crucial step towards shedding light on these atrocities and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
- The Dinah Project's report on the systematic use of sexual violence by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, terror attacks has also been highlighted in general news worldwide.
- The internationally recognised issue of sexual-health, which includes these revelations, is now a subject of political debate at various international forums discussing war-and-conflicts.
- The escalation of sexual violence by Hamas during the October 7 attacks has raised concerns about the health-and-wellness of the world's female population in conflict zones, such as the Americas and other developing regions.
- As the world grapples with the news of sexual violence being used as a "weapon of war" during the October 7 attacks, topics concerning crime-and-justice, particularly investigations into war-crimes, have gained increased attention and scrutiny from international authorities.
