An anticipated report by the UN has found that instances of sexual violence were committed during the October 7 attacks inside Israel as well as against Palestinians in the West Bank. Proving that Hamas is not fighting for Palestinians as they claim but only to push their agendas.

Pramila Patten, the special representative on sexual violence in conflict, discussed with reporters the results of a mission to Israel and the occupied West Bank between January 29 and February 14, the parameters of which were pre-approved by Tel Aviv.

She said there were “reasonable grounds to believe conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred during the October 7 attacks in at least three locations”, including at the Nova music festival.

Hamas has previously denied that its militants committed rape during the October 7 attack.

“We strongly reject and denounce the coordination of some Western media outlets with the Zionist misleading campaigns that promote unfounded lies and allegations aimed at demonizing the Palestinian resistance, the latest of which is the allegation that resistance members committed ‘sexual violence’ during the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th,” Hamas’ political office said in a statement on Telegram in December.

What did they find during their investigations?

Her team did not interview any survivors of sexual violence during the attacks, due partly to the internal displacement of affected communities, the lack of public trust and confidence in national and international institutions, including the UN,” Patten said.

In Israel, the team found that, across various locations, “several fully naked or partially naked bodies from the waist down were recovered – most of them women – with hands tied and shot multiple times, often in the head.” The way that their bodies were found may be indicative of some form of sexual violence.

Patten said grave violations, most involving rape, were identified in at least three locations, “namely the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Re’im.”

In the West Bank, her team found “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of Palestinians, men and women in detention” along with “disproportionate physical and sexual violence, including sexual harassment and threats of rape during house raids, including at night, and checkpoints.” The men were threatened with the rape of their wives, sisters, or daughters and faced beatings, including in the genital areas.

Palestinian detainees faced various forms of sexual violence, from “unwanted touching of intimate areas and forced unveiling of women wearing Hijab; beatings, including in the genital areas; threats of rape against women and threats of rape against female family members (wives, sisters, daughters) in the case of men.”

The report said that concerns were also raised about the circulation of pictures of women detainees and “depriving women of menstruation products.”

This finding does not in any way legitimize further violence

Eventhough her team “found clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape and sexualized torture” has been committed against captives released from Gaza and that there are “reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may still be ongoing against those still held in captivity”.

“This finding does not in any way legitimize further violence but actually reinforces the need for an urgent ceasefire, as continuing this war will not serve to protect hostages from the risk of further sexual violence. On the contrary, for the sake of hostages, a ceasefire should be a priority.”

She “called” on Hamas to release all captives unconditionally and “encouraged” the government of Israel to work more closely with her office.