BREAKING: Israel has confirmed that approximately 50% of hostages recently returned from Gaza reported experiencing sexual abuse during their captivity. This alarming revelation underscores the severe human rights violations faced by these individuals.
In a statement on Israel’s official X account, authorities disclosed that “about 50 percent of the hostages endured significant sexual assault.” They elaborated that if one includes instances of being forced to undress or being watched while bathing, the figure of those affected could be even higher. Reports indicate a range of abuses, including sexual coercion, gang rape, and severe humiliation.
Former hostage Aviva Siegel provided harrowing testimony to the UN Committee Against Torture regarding the horrific experiences endured by female captives. She recounted a traumatizing incident involving a young girl, stating, “I am a witness to one of the girls who was with us, that the Hamas terrorist came to the bathroom, told her to get undressed… and forced her to do oral sex.” Siegel described the immense psychological torment, revealing, “She had to smile after she did that too.”
Siegel’s accounts shed light on the pervasive abuse, particularly involving minors, with one victim, just 16 years old, being subjected to horrifying humiliation. “She is young… and after a while, she told us a Hamas terrorist touched her whole body and did whatever he wanted,” Siegel recalled. “She was so scared because he said to her that if she said anything about it, he would kill her.”
These revelations come amid controversy surrounding statements made by Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls. Alsalem sparked outrage by denying that any rape occurred during the October 7 attacks, despite multiple witness testimonies. “No Palestinian cheered for rape in Gaza. No independent investigation has found that rape occurred on October 7,” she stated on X. This statement drew immediate backlash from Israeli officials, including Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, who labeled it a “moral disgrace.” He demanded, “Any UN representative who denies rape by Hamas must be removed from her position. Period.”
Alsalem’s remarks contradict a recent report by Pramila Patten, the UN’s special representative of the secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict. While Patten did not find conclusive proof of rape, she indicated “reasonable grounds” to believe it occurred based on circumstantial evidence, including victims found partially undressed. “We saw a catalogue of the most extreme and inhumane forms of torture and other horrors,” Patten noted.
As this situation develops, the implications for international human rights discussions and the treatment of hostages remain profound. The global community is urged to respond to these urgent findings and demand accountability for the atrocities reported.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
