UN Expert Team Says There Is A Possibility Of Sexual Violence During Hamas Attacks On Israeli Territory

Illustration of the United Nations. (Source: unctad15.org)

JAKARTA - A team of experts from the United Nations on Monday said there were "reasonable reasons to believe in sexual violence", including group rape and rape at several locations during the Hamas militant group attack on Israeli territory last October.

The team was led by a special UN envoy for sexual violence in the Pramila Patten conflict. The team visited Israel between January 29 and February 14 on a mission meant to gather, analyze and verify information about sexual violence related to the October 7 attack.

"Beliable indirect information, which may be an indication of some form of sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexual torture, or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, is also collected," the UN report said in 24 pages thick.

Previously, Palestinian militant group Hamas had repeatedly rejected allegations of sexual violence during attacks on Israeli territory.

The Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and holding 253 people hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, health authorities said in the Hamas-run enclave.

"The mission team found clear and convincing information that some hostages brought to Gaza had been targeted by various forms of sexual violence related to the conflict, and had reasonable reasons to believe the violence may be ongoing," the report continued.

The team also said a "complete investigation" would be needed to determine the overall amount, scope and specific causes of sexual violence.

The UN team said it also received information from sources of agencies and civil society as well as direct interviews of "sexual violence against Palestinian men and women at detention sites, during house raids and at checkpoints" after October 7.

The team said they filed the allegations with the Israeli Military Ministry of Justice and Advocates General, who said there were no complaints of sexual violence against members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that had been received.

Israel was critical of the UN's response to the October 7 attack. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the end of last year said sexual violence perpetrated on October 7 "must be investigated and demanded with great enthusiasm" stressing "Gender-based violence must be condemned. Any time, anywhere."

"The PBB claims to care about women, but currently Israeli women are raped and persecuted by Hamas terrorists. Where is the UN voice? Where is your voice?" Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan criticized the 193 UN General Assembly on Monday morning.

"Hamas must face endless pressure to end their sexual violence and immediately release all hostages," he said.