Logo
3 out of 11 Articles
United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict,  Pramila Patten

UN Sexual Violence Envoy: Israelis Were Raped, Sexually Tortured on October 7

A mission team led on a trip through Israel by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, found that there was substantial evidence to conclude that victims, as well as hostages and survivors of October 7, were sexually abused and raped by Hamas terrorists.

This is the first instance where an international organization has confirmed what Israel has alleged since October 7. Patten, therefore, called on Hamas to “immediately and unconditionally release all individuals held in captivity and to ensure their protection, including from sexual violence.”

The team found “clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages.”

They have “reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held in captivity.” Patten’s team, which visited throughout the first two weeks of February, was comprised of “nine experts drawn from the United Nations, including… specialists trained in safe and ethical interviewing of survivors/victims and witnesses of sexual violence crimes; a forensic pathologist; and a digital and open-source information analyst.”

The team also found “that there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the 7 October attacks, including rape and gang-rape in at least three locations, namely: the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Re’im.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog quickly responded to the UN report: “Hamas and its allies are trying to discredit the report, to escape from this horrific shame. They will not succeed as the testimonies are shocking indeed. Therefore, now the world must react strongly by condemning and punishing Hamas,” he wrote on X. (JPost / VFI News)

“God, we pray for all the individuals who were sexually abused and tortured by Hamas terrorists. We pray that You heal them and give them Your strength so that they can find peace and stability in the future. We further pray that the hostages currently held by Hamas are not being submitted to similar awful acts, but that they will soon be released and reunited with their loving families. May the whole world stand against this terrorist organization, dismantle it, and hold it accountable for its horrifying crimes.”