The Dinah Project's report cites survivor testimonies and evidence, asserting that Hamas's actions reflect a strategic use of sexual violence, leading to calls for legal accountability amidst a backdrop of military conflict.
Allegations of Systematic Sexual Violence by Hamas in Israel's Recent Conflict
Allegations of Systematic Sexual Violence by Hamas in Israel's Recent Conflict
An Israeli legal group's report claims Hamas employed sexual violence as a tactic during the deadly October 7 assault, aiming to dehumanize Israeli victims.
Hamas has been accused of implementing sexual violence as a tactical weapon during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, according to a new report from the Dinah Project, an all-women collective of legal and gender experts in Israel. The team calls these acts part of a "deliberate genocidal strategy," urging for justice for the victims of these crimes.
The report, released on Tuesday, draws from an extensive review of evidence, including firsthand accounts from victims and witnesses, detailing attempted rape and sexual assault among other infringements during the attacks, particularly at the Nova music festival. Asserting a need for accountability, the Dinah Project aims to outline a "legal blueprint" that offers a prosecutorial framework for these crimes, even when specific perpetrators cannot be identified.
Hamas has denied allegations of sexual violence involved within its ranks, yet a UN mission recently suggested there is credible basis to assert that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the assault, including acts of rape and gang rape against hostages. Before their killings by Israeli forces, several leaders of Hamas were accused of crimes against humanity, including rape, torture, and murder.
The October attack saw hundreds of Hamas fighters assault southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. In retaliation, Israel initiated military action in Gaza, with reported casualties exceeding 57,500 according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Founded by legal expert Ruth Halperin-Kaddar, lawyer Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas, and former judge Nava Ben-Or, the Dinah Project assists survivors in seeking justice. The report highlights how sexual violence was utilized as a tactic to instill terror and dehumanization, impacting both individuals and society as a whole.
The document details collected testimonies where victims, including those from the Nova festival, reported experiencing significant emotional and physical distress, forced sexual acts, and harassment. Their accounts, validated by witnesses and first responders, suggest that sexual violence was widespread and systematic during the conflict.
The report also provides a legal framework designed to prosecute sexual violence in war, asserting that accountability is paramount to uphold international law. With many victims silenced through trauma or death, the authors emphasize the need for justice not just for individuals, but to affirm global principles condemning sexual violence in conflict. The call to action comes amidst a humanitarian crisis within the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing the urgency of addressing these violations.
