A legal report by the Dinah Project claims that Hamas employed sexual violence as a tactic during its October attack on Israel, framing these actions as part of a genocidal strategy. The report compiles survivor testimonies and witness accounts, advocating for a path to justice while calling for accountability in international law.
Israeli Experts Highlight Use of Sexual Violence in Hamas’ Attack as a Strategy of Terror
Israeli Experts Highlight Use of Sexual Violence in Hamas’ Attack as a Strategy of Terror
A recent report from the Dinah Project discusses the allegations of sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, and calls for accountability and legal action against these crimes.
The Dinah Project asserts that Hamas orchestrated a “deliberate genocidal strategy” that included systematic sexual violence during its assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. This alarming assertion is detailed in a report that draws on firsthand accounts from survivors and former hostages, aiming to establish a legal framework for prosecuting such crimes.
Founded by a group of Israeli legal and gender experts, including legal scholar Ruth Halperin-Kaddar and former chief military prosecutor Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas, the Dinah Project seeks to address the implications of these allegations by presenting evidence of sexual violence taking place during the attack, particularly citing incidents that occurred at the Nova music festival.
Despite Hamas’s denial of these allegations, a UN mission has indicated "reasonable grounds" to believe that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred. Further investigations revealed that top Hamas leaders faced accusations of crimes against humanity including sexual violence. The assault on October 7 resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 individuals and the taking of 251 hostages, sparking a military response from Israel that has led to immense casualties in Gaza.
The report underscores a disturbing environment of sexual violence, especially highlighting reports of systematic harassment and abuse, both verbal and physical, involving hostages, with some victims subjected to forced nudity and sexual acts. The group emphasizes that accounts of sexual violence were widespread, often leading to permanent silencing of many victims.
Through its findings, the Dinah Project convenes what it calls a "global legal blueprint" for prosecuting sexual violence used as a weapon of war. This blueprint is proffered as a method to navigate the complexities of evidence, allowing for accountability despite challenges in linking specific acts to individual perpetrators.
The report concludes that the pursuit of justice is crucial, not only for individual recovery but also as a clear assertion that sexual violence in conflict will not go unpunished. It demands that the international community recognizes the gravity of such crimes within the context of international law and ensures that perpetrators face consequences for their actions.
