Hamas planned sexual violence as weapon in October 7 attack, report finds
The brutal attack on southern Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, was not just an act of violence but a systematic weapon of war that included rape, gang-rape, and extreme sexual violence, according to a new report by The Dinah Project. This global initiative aims to advance justice for victims of conflict-related sexual violence.
The 80-page report, titled “A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond,” highlights the heinous acts committed by Hamas terrorists and calls for international human rights groups to recognize the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The report also urges the U.N. secretary general to blacklist the Palestinian terror group for their atrocities.
Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar-Ilan University, which oversees The Dinah Project, emphasized the importance of holding the perpetrators of sexual violence during the attack accountable. She presented the report to Israel’s first lady, Michal Herzog, who expressed the need to ensure justice for the victims.
Despite initial doubts from some in the international community, investigations by organizations such as UN Women and the International Criminal Court confirmed the reports of sexual violence during the attack. The Dinah Project’s report builds on these investigations, incorporating testimonies from hostages, witnesses, and first responders to provide a comprehensive account of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists.
The report reveals that sexual violence was widespread and systematic during the attack, with acts of rape, gang-rape, and genital mutilation taking place in multiple locations. Victims were found partially or fully naked, with their hands tied to structures like trees or poles. The report also details instances of public humiliation and forced nudity for those taken hostage by Hamas.
The authors of the report emphasize the need for the international community to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a distinct category and to hold all perpetrators accountable for their actions. They call for a shift in the approach to prosecuting such crimes, focusing on joint criminal responsibility rather than direct links between individual perpetrators and victims.
Israeli first lady Michal Herzog commended the report for laying out the truth and called for justice to be served for the victims of the attack. She highlighted the importance of recognizing sexual violence as a crime against humanity and prosecuting those responsible.
The report serves as a call to action to address the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and to seek accountability for the perpetrators. It challenges the global silence on such atrocities and underscores the need to bring perpetrators to justice for their heinous acts.
