Warning: This article contains graphic and disturbing accounts from the October 7th attacks in Israel.
The extreme acts of sexual violence reported during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, in southern Israel appear to have been part of a systematic approach to warfare, as indicated by various open-source evidence and new testimonies.
An 80-page report titled “A Quest for Justice: After October 7,” compiled by the Dina Project—which advocates for victims of conflict-related sexual violence—addresses the weaponization of sexual violence by Hamas, aligning with calls from the United Nations Secretary-General to classify Palestinian terrorist organizations accordingly.
“Our main objective is to establish a comprehensive legal framework indicating that sexual violence was intentionally used as a weapon of war by Hamas on October 7,” the report states.
Israeli police assert sexual violence by Hamas was intentional and systematic
Following the initial reports, many victim testimonies highlighted horrific incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence, coinciding with the onset of the 20 months of conflict in Gaza.
According to Halperin Kadari, many victims either lost their lives, were taken hostage, or were too traumatized to share their experiences.
“It’s truly frustrating that the international human rights community has struggled to confront the reality of these events,” she mentioned, pointing out the failure to grasp the complexities of the situation, particularly how one side, long seen as the aggressor, had resorted to such malevolent actions.
Critics note UN’s silence on the sexual violence and killings of Israeli women
Amid increasing scrutiny, several global organizations, including UN Women and the International Criminal Court, have initiated investigations that have corroborated accounts of sexual violence from witnesses and first responders.
The Dina Project report synthesizes these revelations, presenting firsthand testimonies from 15 hostages and insights from responders.
“The evidence shows that sexual violence was widespread and systematic during the attacks,” the report asserts, also referencing forensic and audiovisual documentation.
Additionally, the findings indicate that sexual violence occurred at various locations—including the Nova Music Festival and military bases—with survivors often found in distressing conditions.
As for those held captive, reports detail ongoing sexual violence, with many stating they faced coercive situations, physical and verbal sexual harassment, and threats of forced marriages.
“I’ll be haunted forever”: Graphic footage of the atrocities leaves many unsettled
“Hamas employed sexual violence as a strategic weapon aimed at terrorizing and dehumanizing Israeli society. This revelation has significant implications for international justice mechanisms,” the report outlines, suggesting a pathway toward accountability.
The report calls upon the global community to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a distinct category, separate from typical sexual crimes, advocating for broader acknowledgment of evidence types and culpability among all involved in the attacks.
“We are working to set the historical record right. Hamas has weaponized sexual violence,” the author emphasizes.
Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog commented that the Dina Project report exposes the truth.
Expressing solidarity with the victims, she stated, “We must persist until their narratives are heard and justice achieved. As a mother and Israeli, the findings were deeply challenging…it confronts global silence and demands recognition of sexual violence as a human rights issue.”
