BBC Says Hamas Systematically Weaponised Sexual Violence During Oct. 7 Attacks

An Israeli investigation published a 300-page report describing “systematic, widespread” sexual violence by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the attacks on 7 October 2023 and against hostages.

The BBC said the report concludes that rapes, sexual assault and sexual torture were intended “to maximize pain and suffering,” and it described the attacks as “the weaponization of sexual violence.”

AAP News

The Washington Post reported that a report titled “Silenced No More,” published by the Civil Commission, drew on more than 400 testimonies and nearly 2,000 hours of visual analysis documenting 13 patterns of violence, including gang rape, sexual torture and forced nudity.

The Washington Post also said the report documented assaults at multiple sites, including the Nova Music festival, where hundreds were killed and others taken hostage, and it described victims being found handcuffed or bound.

The BBC said witnesses quoted in the Civil Commission report describe hearing and seeing violent gang rapes at the Nova dance festival, where more than 370 people were killed in one of the deadliest attacks.

The BBC also reported that a male survivor gave an account of being used like a "sex doll" by assailants, and it said many of those raped or apparently assaulted were shot in the head.

Al Jazeera

The Washington Post reported that the report’s findings could not be independently verified by The Associated Press, and it said critics have challenged some of Elkayam-Levy’s previous research.

The Washington Post added that Israel has pointed to incidents during the Oct. 7 attacks and to treatment, while the report’s commission said it cross-referenced information using independent data sources and collected digital materials, conducted interviews and filmed testimonies.

Beyond the Oct. 7 investigation, Al Jazeera reported that Israeli legislators approved a bill to establish a special tribunal with the power to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of involvement in the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.

“Israeli legislators have approved a bill to establish a special tribunal with the power to impose the death penalty on Palestinians accused of involvement in the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera said the bill passed 93-0 in Israel’s 120-seat parliament, the Knesset, late on Monday, and it quoted lawyer Muna Haddad saying the bill “transforms proceedings into show trials at the expense of the accused’s rights”.

In Gaza, Democracy Now! reported that Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians, including the head of the criminal police force in Khan Younis, Wessam Abdel-Hadi, and his aide, and it said a separate strike killed one person and wounded two others in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Doctors Without Borders said an Israeli tank fired two shells near the Al-Tayeb Clinic in Beit Lahia, injuring at least 12 Palestinians while its medical teams were working near the strike site, and it emphasized that there is a “no safe place in Gaza.”