Oct. 7 survivor challenges UN official who dismissed evidence of Hamas sexual violence, stating ‘I am living proof’

Ex-Hostage Testifies at UN About Hamas’ Atrocities

Ilana Gritzewsky, an ex-hostage taken by Hamas, recently spoke at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. She detailed the sexual violence inflicted on victims during the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel.

During her testimony, Gritzewsky faced off against UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, who has previously downplayed or dismissed claims about Hamas’ systematic sexual crimes. Gritzewsky remarked, “On October 7th and in captivity, Jewish women were raped, abused and humiliated. And you, special rapporteur, choose silence and denial.” She insisted she was not just a statistic, but a survivor and living proof of what occurred.

“I begged not to be raped,” she shared, recounting her days in captivity filled with “pain and horror.” She described the violent acts perpetrated by her captors, stating, “They touched me and sexually abused me. I was beaten and mutilated before blacking out.”

Gritzewsky vividly recalled waking up “half-naked” with seven Hamas members hovering over her. She expressed the deep scars left behind, saying, “I came back with a broken hip, a broken jaw, and a scarred soul.” She added that the trauma does not fade, and the sound of sirens now triggers her memories of that horrific time.

In November 2023, Alsalem had claimed there was no evidence of rape or sexual assault during the Hamas attacks. However, this assertion was contradicted by a UN report in March 2024, led by Pramila Patten, which found “clear and convincing” evidence that Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon.

A comprehensive 300-page investigation published in May detailed that the sexual violence was not incidental but a deliberate act of cruelty, according to Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, who led the inquiry.

During Gritzewsky’s testimony, Alsalem appeared to look down, glancing up only when prompted by Gritzewsky asking her to do so. Gritzewsky followed up with a challenging question, “Do you believe us now? Will you apologize?” but there was no response from Alsalem.