A United Nations envoy has raised disturbing allegations of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel. Pramila Patten, leading a team of nine, spent approximately two weeks in Israel and the West Bank gathering information. In her report, Patten stated there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Hamas may have committed rape, gang rape, and “sexualized torture” against women, with indications that such violence may still be ongoing.
Despite efforts to reach out to victims, Patten’s team was unable to directly engage with them. However, they conducted over 30 meetings with Israeli institutions and interviewed 34 individuals, including survivors, witnesses, and health officials.
The report, spanning 24 pages, cites “credible circumstantial information” suggesting various forms of sexual violence, including genital mutilation and cruel treatment. It specifically points to multiple locations across the Gaza periphery where conflict-related sexual violence, such as rape and gang rape, is believed to have occurred.
One notable location mentioned is the Nova music festival area, where multiple incidents of sexual violence may have taken place, resulting in victims being raped and/or gang-raped before being killed.
While stressing that their visit was not investigative, Patten emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to ascertain the full extent and attribution of the sexual violence.
Regarding allegations at Kibbutz Be’eri, Patten’s team determined that at least two claims of sexual violence widely reported in the media were unfounded due to conflicting information.
The attack by Hamas resulted in 1,200 casualties and around 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel’s conflict with Hamas has reportedly claimed 30,000 lives in the Gaza Strip, with a quarter of Gaza’s population facing starvation according to the UN. Currently, there are reportedly 134 hostages still held by Hamas, although the exact number of survivors remains unclear.
Here are the key points of the news article:
- Allegations by UN Envoy: Pramila Patten, a UN envoy, has reported on potential sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel.
- Nature of Allegations: The allegations include rape, gang rape, and “sexualized torture” against women, with concerns that such violence may still be ongoing.
- Investigation Efforts: Patten’s team conducted interviews and meetings in Israel and the West Bank but were unable to directly engage with victims. They found circumstantial evidence supporting claims of sexual violence.
- Specific Locations: The report identifies multiple locations in the Gaza periphery where conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, is believed to have occurred.
- Call for Investigation: While not investigative in nature, Patten stressed the need for a thorough investigation to determine the full extent and attribution of the sexual violence.
- Disputed Allegations: Some allegations of sexual violence were found to be unfounded due to conflicting information.
- Casualties and Hostages: The attack by Hamas resulted in 1,200 casualties and around 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel’s conflict with Hamas reportedly claimed 30,000 lives in the Gaza Strip.
- Humanitarian Crisis: A quarter of Gaza’s population faces starvation according to the UN, with 134 hostages reportedly still held by Hamas.
These points highlight the gravity of the situation, the need for further investigation, and the broader humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.
