A U.N. report released Monday by a team of United Nations experts investigating sexual violence linked to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel found disturbing evidence. It stated that some victims were sexually assaulted, including cases of rape and gang rape. Shockingly, in most instances, victims subjected to rape were subsequently killed. The report highlighted a pattern of victims, mostly women, found fully or partially naked, bound, and shot across multiple locations.
The team also uncovered distressing information that some women and children taken back to Gaza by Hamas as hostages were subjected to rape, sexualized torture, and cruel treatment. This violence was reported to be ongoing, raising serious concerns about the safety of those still in captivity. Hamas has denied these accusations, adding a layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
In addition to the findings related to Hamas, the report also discussed allegations of conflict-related sexual violence by the Israeli security forces and settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. This release coincided with a day of intense accusations and counteraccusations, including claims by Philippe Lazzarini, the director of UNRWA, accusing Israel of a deliberate campaign to undermine the agency's operations.
The report's release comes amid swirling charges and countercharges, including claims by Philippe Lazzarini, the director of UNRWA, that Israel is deliberately working to undermine the agency's operations. This has led to a funding crisis, with 16 countries, including the United States and Germany, withdrawing funding. Israel has also made allegations against UNRWA, claiming that some of its employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks.
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