Hostages subsequently taken to Gaza were also raped, the UN report said.
United Nations:
A United Nations report released on Monday said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that rape occurred during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 and that hostages taken to Gaza were also raped.
Pramila Patten, the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict, found “clear and convincing information” that some hostages were raped and suggested that “such violence may be targeting those who remain in captivity” Keep happening.”
Patten visited Israel and the West Bank for two-and-a-half weeks in early February, accompanied by experts, as the United Nations was criticized for being too slow to respond to rape and sexual violence that Israel accused Hamas of committing on October 7. .
“In the context of coordinated attacks by Hamas and other armed groups against civilian and military targets throughout Gaza’s perimeter, the mission found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that during the attacks on 7 October, attacks involving Conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape,” the report said.
The reports added that the incidents occurred in at least three locations: the Nova Festival grounds and surrounding areas, Route 232 and Kibbutz Re’im.
“In most of these incidents, the victim was first raped and then killed, and at least two incidents involved the rape of women’s corpses,” the report said.
Despite calls for victims of sexual violence to come forward and testify, none have done so.
However, members of the delegation were able to interview survivors and witnesses of the October 7 attack, as well as health service personnel.
They viewed 5,000 photos and 50 hours of footage of the attack.
They also spoke with some of the hostages who had been released.
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