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Warning: This article contains graphic details of sexual and other violence.
Independent inquiry uncovers widespread sexual atrocities
An Israeli-led investigation has documented what it calls "systematic, widespread" sexual violence committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the 7 October 2023 attacks, as well as against hostages held afterward. The 300-page report describes rapes, sexual assault, and torture intended to "maximize pain and suffering," according to its authors.
Scope and sources of the investigation
The inquiry, conducted by a civilian commission, is the most extensive to date on the subject. It draws from 430 filmed interviews with survivors and witnesses, over 10,000 photographs and videos recorded by attackers, and official records collected from the sites of the assaults. The report also incorporates material from forensic examinations and firsthand testimonies.
Harrowing accounts from attack sites
Witnesses described violent gang rapes at the Nova dance festival, where more than 370 people were killed in one of the deadliest incidents of the attacks. A male survivor recounted being treated like a "sex doll" by assailants. Many victims of sexual violence were later found shot in the head.
At the festival site, kibbutzim, and overrun military bases, investigators documented recurring patterns: dead women discovered without underwear and corpses showing signs of genital mutilation. The report concludes that these acts were not isolated but part of a broader strategy to weaponize sexual violence.
Violence against hostages
The report states that "extreme forms" of sexual and gender-based violence continued against hostages during their captivity, affecting both women and men. Some former hostages, including Amit Soussana, Arbel Yehud, Romi Gonen, Rom Braslavski, and Guy Gilbol Dalal, have publicly shared their experiences of sexual assault. Others have spoken only in confidence to medical staff, therapists, or investigators.
Among the most disturbing findings is an account of two young relatives forced by captors to perform sex acts on each other. The report identifies this as part of a "distinct pattern of violence targeting family members and exploiting familial relationships as instruments of terror."
Legal and historical implications
The Civil Commission classifies the documented crimes as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocidal acts under international law. The evidence, stored in a secure archive, may support future prosecutions. The authors emphasize that their work aims to create a historical record, ensuring the suffering of victims is neither denied nor forgotten.
In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, some initial accounts shared by Israeli officials were later found to be inaccurate, and critical forensic evidence was lost as first responders rushed to the scenes. The report's authors say they took extra care to cross-reference and verify all included evidence. No material was sourced from Israeli interrogations of detained suspects to maintain the investigation's independence.
Context and broader impact
The 7 October 2023 attacks marked the deadliest day in Israel's history, with approximately 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage. The assault triggered a devastating war in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of 72,742 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which the UN considers reliable.
Hamas has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual and gender-based violence during the attacks or against hostages. However, a separate investigation by the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict concluded there were "reasonable grounds to believe" such violence, including gang rape, occurred.
