Recent reports from Israelis who dealt with the victims of Hamas’s attacks on Israel have revealed shocking evidence of deliberate and systematic sexual violence against female victims. The testimonies shared with British MPs and peers describe horrific acts of genital mutilation and assault on women. These accounts must be fully investigated, and sexual violence must be unequivocally condemned.
The testimony presented by Israelis who retrieved and identified the bodies of the victims is disturbing and heart-wrenching. Shari Mendes, an architect, recalls witnessing female soldiers shot in intimate areas and bodies decapitated or dismembered. Simcha Greiniman, a volunteer for a religious organization, recovered bodies with nails and objects inserted in sensitive parts. Their first-hand experiences provide solid evidence of sexual assault and violence.
These testimonies align with the comprehensive collection of evidence conducted by the Israeli government, including forensic investigations and statements from witnesses and first responders. The Israeli police assert that rape and sexual violence, tantamount to crimes against humanity, have occurred during the attacks. Chief Superintendent Mirit Ben Mayor acknowledges the challenges faced in collecting evidence due to the diverse locations and the murders committed. However, the existence of substantiated proof emphasizes the urgent need for international attention and action.
The BBC has also obtained corroborating evidence, such as video testimonies from eyewitnesses, footage of Hamas gunmen filming naked and bloodied women, and photographs from the attack scenes. These materials further corroborate the claims of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas.
The moral responsibility lies with the international community to acknowledge the occurrence of these heinous acts and ensure justice for the victims. There must be no double standards when condemning sexual violence, regardless of the perpetrators. Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary and Minister for Women, emphasizes the UK’s solidarity with the victims and implores international organizations to be more vocal in their condemnation of sexual violence against Israelis. Israeli officials and activists have raised concerns about the slow response from leaders of the UN and other international organizations, highlighting the urgency for action.
The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, has arrived in Israel to gather information, provide support, and seek avenues for justice and accountability. Patten urges victims, their families, and witnesses to come forward and break their silence, emphasizing that justice must prevail to end these heinous acts. Two UN human rights experts have already asserted that the reported acts of sexual violence qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity according to international law.
It is crucial to remember the victims who remain held captive in Gaza, including more than 100 Israelis and foreign nationals. The cousin of a 19-year-old female hostage raises pressing concerns about the physical and psychological wellbeing of those still in captivity. The extended duration of their captivity raises worries about potential pregnancies resulting from sexual violence.
Let us stand together in solidarity with the victims and demand justice for their unimaginable suffering. The world must respond promptly and resolutely, holding those responsible accountable for their crimes against humanity. Silence is not an option.
