TEL AVIV, Israel — A comprehensive investigation has concluded that sexual violence served as a calculated and pervasive component of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 assault and its consequences, according to findings released by an Israeli research organization.
The Civil Commission, an independent entity focused on documenting gender-based violence following Hamas’ 2023 assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict, published their findings Tuesday in a document called “Silenced No More.”
Researchers conducted a two-year examination that incorporated over 400 witness accounts and nearly 2,000 hours of video evidence, identifying 13 distinct patterns of abuse including gang rape, sexual torture and forced nudity.
“Our findings demonstrate that it was a deliberate tactic within the broader architecture of the terror inflicted on victims and hostages,” stated Cochav Elkayam-Levy, who founded and chairs the commission while serving as the report’s primary author.
Since the Gaza war commenced, sexual violence allegations have become highly politicized, with both sides attempting to undermine each other’s claims.
Israeli officials have referenced incidents from the October 7 assault and hostage treatment to underscore what they characterize as Hamas brutality and support their military objective of eliminating future Gaza-based threats. Israel’s government has criticized the global community for allegedly dismissing or minimizing sexual violence evidence, claiming anti-Israel prejudice.
The Associated Press could not independently confirm the report’s conclusions, and some observers have questioned Elkayam-Levy’s earlier research. However, notable figures including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rahm Emanuel and Facebook pioneer Sheryl Sandberg have supported her efforts.
United Nations officials state they have discovered “reasonable grounds” to believe Hamas fighters perpetrated rape and additional sexual violence during their offensive. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has indicated he believes three senior Hamas officials bear responsibility for “rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity.”
Human rights organizations and Palestinians detained by Israel following the attacks have also provided extensive accounts of sexual violence and torture within Israeli detention facilities.
In March, Israel dismissed charges against five soldiers previously accused of beating and sodomizing a Palestinian prisoner in an incident allegedly partially recorded on video. Hard-line political figures, who had vigorously opposed the charges, celebrated the decision to drop them, while human rights advocates said it demonstrated Israel’s reluctance to probe misconduct.
Neither Israel’s government nor Hamas immediately responded to AP requests for comment.
The commission — consisting of researchers, legal experts and trauma specialists — gathered digital evidence, conducted interviews and recorded testimonies. Officials said they also verified information using independent data sources.
According to the report, Hamas and its allies primarily focused on women and hostages, though children also experienced violence and abuse.
One instance described two young hostages who returned being compelled to perform “sexual acts on one another,” including removing clothing while captors touched their private areas.
The document stated sexual torture aimed to intensify pain and suffering, with survivors experiencing burning, mutilation and forced object insertion. Some victims were discovered handcuffed or restrained. Armed groups also filmed acts of abuse and killings, distributing footage via social media, the report indicated.
The investigation recorded attacks at various locations, including the Nova Music festival, where hundreds died and others were kidnapped. The AP previously discovered evidence that sexual assault occurred during Hamas’ October 7 rampage, including testimony from a festival attendee who said he heard a woman screaming for help and shouting, “They’re raping me, they’re raping me!”
Hostages also faced sexual harassment and assault, some lasting months, the report stated.
Several freed hostages have publicly discussed sexual assault during captivity. In Israeli media interviews, Romi Gonen described repeated sexual assault and harassment by three men.
Another former hostage, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, told the New York Times he experienced sexual abuse from a captor and received death threats for speaking about it.
