In a shocking revelation, at least 10 Israeli civilians released by Hamas, including both men and women, have been reported to have suffered sexual assault or abuse during their captivity, according to an Associated Press report on Wednesday.
The victims, who were among the 110 hostages released from captivity, disclosed their traumatic experiences during a meeting with the Israeli war cabinet, shedding light on the severity and extent of the abuse.
A doctor who treated some of the released hostages confirmed the allegations, stating that at least 10 individuals had experienced sexual assault or abuse.
‘The doctor, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect the hostages’ identities, collaborated on the firsthand testimonies shared during the meeting.
The meeting also featured accounts of sexual abuse from both men and women, with some expressing concern about the airstrikes occurring dangerously close to where captives were held.
The release of 105 civilians, including 81 Israelis, under a weeklong truce deal that expired on Friday has prompted international condemnation of Hamas.
The truce deal was intended to secure the release of all hostages, but Hamas reportedly refused to release all the women held, leading to the breakdown of the pause.
As of now, 138 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, including around 20 women.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, suggested that Hamas might be holding onto hostages to prevent them from testifying about the sexual abuse they endured.
The gravity of the situation prompted a strong response from U.S. President Joe Biden, who called the reports of sexual violence “appalling” and urged the world to condemn the “horrific accounts of unimaginable cruelty.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized women’s rights and human rights organizations for allegedly ignoring the plight of Israeli victims, calling for attention to the reported rape, atrocities, and sexual mutilation.
The accusations against Hamas have been met with denial from the terrorist organization.
Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a military spokesman, expressed deep concern about sexual violence against female hostages while investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope and systematic nature of the sexual assaults.
Eyewitness accounts from survivors paint a harrowing picture of the events on October 7, including a woman’s plea for help during an attack on a music festival. Reports include graphic details of gang rape, mutilation, and sexual assault.
Israeli police are grappling with the challenge of piecing together evidence from 60,000 videos and 1,000 testimonies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel published an initial assessment in November, indicating that sexual and gender-based crimes were widespread during the attacks.
The international community, particularly the United Nations, has faced criticism from Israel for allegedly ignoring the suffering of Israeli victims.
While Hamas denies the allegations, calls for an urgent, thorough, and credible investigation have intensified.
Israel hosted a special event at the United Nations, where figures like Hillary Clinton, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Sheryl Sandberg criticized the global failure to support women who were sexually assaulted and, in some cases, killed.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has sought access to Israel and the Palestinian territories for an investigation, but Israel has not responded to the requests.
As horrifying accounts continue to emerge, the world watches closely, demanding justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members