Israeli Report Finds That Sexual Violence by Hamas Was Widespread

"The report, culminating two years of investigation by a nongovernmental team, concludes that sexual violence against women and men was systematic, widespread and integral to the attack by Hamas and its allies as well as to the violations against hostages who were taken back to Gaza."

"In one of the more shocking chapters, the report described cases where victims were abused in front of relatives, or where the perpetrators broadcast images or footage of atrocities to family members of a victim in real time via social media."

"The researchers coined a term for such cases, calling them kinocidal violence. In at least one case, according to the report, family members were coerced into acts of sexual violence against one another."

"In the immediate, chaotic aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack, numerous, fragmented accounts emerged of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by assailants from Gaza. The United Nations and human rights groups have documented a number of such cases."

A comprehensive investigation by a nongovernmental team in Israel concludes that sexual violence against women and men was systematic, widespread, and integral to the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack and to violations committed against hostages taken to Gaza. The report describes abuse carried out in front of relatives and perpetrators broadcasting images or footage of atrocities to victims’ family members in real time through social media. The researchers coined the term “kinocidal violence” for cases involving harm directed at family members. At least one case described coercion of family members into acts of sexual violence against one another. The findings build on fragmented accounts and documentation by the United Nations and human rights groups.

Read at www.nytimes.com