Experts of UN ruled today that “there are reasonable grounds to believe” that incidents of sexual violence – included gang rapes – were noted in various locations during the attack launched by Hamas fighters on October 7 at Israel.
The team of experts, led by the UN special envoy on sexual violence in armed conflict Pramila Patten, was in Israel from 29 January to 14 February. The purpose of the mission was to collect, analyze and verify information about incidents of sexual violence linked to the October 7 attack.
“Reliable and thorough information was collected, indicative of various forms of sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexual torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment“, states the 24-page UN report.
Members of the UN mission report that they gathered “clear and convincing information that some hostages taken to Gaza have been subjected to various forms of sexual violence” and there are “reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may continue”.
Hamas, as APE-MPE reports, has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual violence.
The UN experts also reported gathering information on “sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention centers, raided homes and checkpoints“, after the October 7 attack. They informed the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the General Military Prosecutor, who stated that no incidents of sexual violence by members of the Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) had been reported.
Israel has criticized the UN's response to the attack launched by Hamas on October 7.
Following a statement by Antonio Guterres late last year, in which the UN Secretary-General condemned gender-based violence, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan told the General Assembly today: “The UN claims to care about women, but it as we speak Israeli women are being raped and abused by Hamas terrorists. Where is the voice of the United Nations? Where is your voice?'
The head of Israeli diplomacy, Israel Katz, announced the recall of ambassador Erdan for consultations, accusing the UN of trying to silence the report.
Guterres denies trying to suppress Hamas rape report
The UN secretary-general did not try “for any reason” to suppress a report on incidents of sexual violence during the October 7 Hamas attacks, his spokesman told AFP.
The work of the UN special envoy on sexual violence in armed conflict, Pramila Patten, whose report was released today, was “thoroughly and painstakingly written. For no reason did the secretary general do anything to keep this report hushed up,” said Stephan Dujarric, responding to accusations by the Israeli foreign minister.
Source: News Beast
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