Hamas Must Be Held Accountable for Violence and Sexual Assault in Attack on Israel

United Nations investigators have called for Hamas to be held accountable for violence and sexual assault in the October 7 attack on Israel.

“Alice Jill Edwards,” a UN special rapporteur on torture, and “Morris Tidball-Binz,” a special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council.

According to their statements, extensive evidence indicates that concerning acts such as sexual torture, gang rape, mutilation, and shooting at genital areas were committed by the Hamas militia group. The UN investigators described these actions as “gross violations of international law” and emphasized that these acts constitute war crimes that are also recognized as crimes against humanity.

They also noted that there is evidence of people being burned alive and mutilated bodies, adding: “Every victim, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender, deserves to be recognized, and our role is to be their voice.”

While Israeli police inspectors are collecting evidence on cases of sexual violence, the Hamas group has denied the aforementioned actions. According to the Israeli government, more than 130 hostages taken during the Hamas attack on Israel remain in Hamas’s hands. During this period, at least 24 hostages have been killed.

“Linda Thomas-Greenfield,” the US Ambassador to the United Nations, has also responded to the statements of the aforementioned investigators, and by posting a message on social media, called for immediate condemnation of Hamas’s actions regarding sexual violence.