&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Did Hamas use sexual violence as 'tactical weapon'? Israeli report accuses militant group of terrorising society")
The Palestinian militant group Hamas allegedly used sexual violence as "part of a deliberate genocidal strategy" during the October 7 attack on Israel, a group of Israeli legal and gender experts claimed in a new report.
The Dinah Project, in its report, stated what it describes as a "legal blueprint for prosecuting these crimes, even when direct attribution to individual perpetrators is impossible".
The report is based on a review of evidence, which further includes testimony from a survivor of an attempted rape and 15 former hostages held in Gaza.
According to the report, the Palestinian militant group used sexual violence as a "tactical weapon", as part of a genocidal scheme and with the goal of "terrorising and dehumanising Israeli society".
It also "creates a pathway to justice for victims of the 7 October attack and potentially for victims in other conflict zones", the group stressed.
The authors of the report stated that they reviewed several sources from social media as well as recorded testimonies. They also gathered forensic evidence and visual and audio evidence.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Remembering Bharathiraja: 5 iconic films directed by the Tamil cinema legend
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Do dark-coloured cars burn more fuel for AC in summer?
)
US 'completes' latest strikes in Iran after Trump claims Tehran asked him to stop bombing
)
Indian-origin Canadian police officer Tarun Bali killed in line of duty, teen charged with murder
)
Iran Guards claim destroying US command centre in Jordan
)
Peddi Row: Leaked chats and make-up artist reveal Janhvi Kapoor objected to oversexualized shots, but was ignored
)
Taiwan-India ink academia-industry partnership on semiconductor-linked research
)
Trump says US going to hit Iran ‘very hard again today,’ reiterates he wants a deal
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Beyond Strait of Hormuz: How the Oman-Gujarat deep-sea pipeline could transform India's energy imports
)
Why Nepal joins Japan in banning Indian Mango imports & how it could impact exporters
)
Israeli media claims $3 bn in Iranian assets transferred to Tehran amid ceasefire efforts
)
US-Iran War: Iranian Media Reports Explosions Near Strait Of Hormuz
)
Canada envoy Cooter says ties with India at ‘best moment ever’; energy, defence cooperation to accelerate
)
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay pays final respects to legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja
)
'Sign of desperation': Iran's President responds to Trump's 'very hard' strike threat
)
Bodies of six missing Naga men reach Imphal; police use tear gas as protests erupt outside mortuary
)
India summons US diplomat over strike on tanker off Oman; three Indian crew missing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Is it logically smarter to buy an electric car right now just to avoid fuel costs?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Apache helicopter cost vs power: Is it worth millions per unit?
)
'Abduct Lebanese women, arrest children': Israeli minister's 'out-of-the-box' proposal to defeat Hezbollah sparks outrage
)
Trump tariff blowback: US refunds $22 billion in customs duties
)
'Lethal plotting and malign actions': US, UK and 20 other countries warn Iran to stop attacks on foreign soil
)
Trump claims US is taking Iranian oil; his Energy Secretary doesn't know about it
)
Bill Gates 'deeply sorry' for Epstein ties; Here's what he revealed to lawmakers during closed door hearing
)
Iran hits American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait; declares Hormuz fully closed in retaliation for fresh US strikes
)
Old praise, new problems: Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das's 9-year-old tweet faces scrutiny
)
Why is Pranit More being called out for his latest show? Know all about the 'Rs 370 ki biryani' controversy
)
Russia proposes two-seater Su-57E variant and weapons integration to India
)
Bear on the loose in Japanese city forces closure of nearly 100 schools
)
Company accidentally blows away Rs 4,800 crore on Claude AI in a month because of a tiny oversight
)
China begins building $11.4 billion ‘world’s largest’ inland ship locks at Three Gorges Dam
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Master of manoeuvring: This jet has never lost a dogfight?
)
Sweden’s Saab in ‘continuous’ talks with India for Gripen E fighter jets
)
‘Made in India’: First indigenous Airbus C-295 completes maiden test flight | WATCH
)
Iran War: India Summons US Envoy Over Vessel Attack
)
Trump, other world leaders congratulate PM Modi on completing 12 years in office
)
Trump’s ‘Naruto’ video sparks backlash and 20,000 file online petition in Japan
)
Belfast Erupts In Riots After Brutal Knife Attack Sparks Tensions
One of the 15 former hostages said that she was forced to perform a sexual act, which was preceded by sexual abuse and verbal and physical sexual harassment, as per the report. While continuing to express her ordeal, she also said that she endured forced nudity.
Almost all the hostages reported verbal and some physical harassment, including "unwanted physical contact in private parts", the report read. While six hostages alleged that they also faced threats of forced marriages.
Not just women, two men hostages also alleged that they were subjected to forced nudity and physical abuse when naked.
According to the report, five witnesses reported at least four separate cases of gang rape. Moreover, 27 first responders described dozens of cases which showed "clear signs of sexual violence across six locations", including the Nova festival, Route 232, and the kibbutzim of Be'eri, Alumim, Nahal Oz and Re'im.
Hamas denies allegation of ‘sexual abuse’
However, Hamas has denied the allegations, saying that they did not commit sexual violence or mistreat any women while keeping them hostage.
In March 2024, a United Nations mission concluded that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that conflict-related sexual violence happened during the October 7 attack in Israel, including rape and gang rape. It added that there was "convincing information" that the Israeli hostages faced sexual violence and sexualised torture.
