Israeli Probe Details Systematic Sexual Violence by Hamas in October 7 Attacks

An independent Israeli investigation released harrowing details of systematic, widespread sexual violence by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the October 7, 2023 attacks and against hostages.

This report stands as the most comprehensive to date, surpassing earlier findings from the United Nations and others on violence during the assaults that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Investigators reviewed 430 filmed interviews with survivors and witnesses, more than 10,000 photographs and videos recorded by the attackers, and official records plus material from attack sites.

Hamas has repeatedly denied any sexual or gender-based violence during the attacks or against captives. A United Nations investigation by the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict found reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence, including gang rape, occurred.

Witnesses in the Civil Commission report recount hearing and seeing violent gang rapes at the Nova dance festival, where more than 370 people died in one of the deadliest strikes. A male survivor described being used like a sex doll by assailants. Many rape or assault victims suffered head shots.

Recurring accounts from the festival site, overrun kibbutzim and military bases describe dead women found without underwear and corpses with genital mutilation.

The report states that extreme forms of sexual and gender-based violence continued against hostages in captivity for prolonged periods, affecting both women and men. It calls the attacks the weaponization of sexual violence.

Former hostages Amit Soussana, Arbel Yehud, Romi Gonen, Rom Braslavski and Guy Gilbol Dalal have shared public accounts of sexual assault. Other victims spoke only confidentially to medical staff, therapists and investigators.

New claims include captors forcing two young relatives to perform sex acts on each other. The report identifies this as part of a distinct pattern targeting family members and exploiting relationships for terror.

The Civil Commission determined the crimes amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts under international law. Evidence stored in a secure archive could support future prosecutions.

Some early accounts of violence from Israeli officials after the assault proved false. First responders rushing to scenes destroyed important forensic evidence.

Report authors said in interviews they took extra care cross-referencing and fact-checking included evidence. They excluded material from Israeli interrogations of detained suspects to maintain independence.

With many October 7 sexual assault victims killed and others deeply traumatized, the report aims to ensure their suffering is not denied, erased or forgotten.