Title: Israel Accuses U.N. of Slow Response to Hamas’ Widespread Sexual Violence
In a shocking revelation, Israel has accused the United Nations (U.N.) of responding slowly to reports of widespread sexual violence committed by Hamas during the recent attack on Israel on October 7. Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, has claimed that Hamas intentionally used rape and sexual violence as weapons of war.
Israeli authorities have been collecting testimonies and evidence of rape and sex crimes, including mutilation and torture, from witnesses and first responders. Shari Mendes, a member of an Israeli reserve unit, mentioned a “systematic genital mutilation” of victims, further highlighting the extent of the atrocities.
Despite the mounting evidence, Hamas has denied any involvement in sexual crimes against women. Former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has argued that women’s testimonies should be believed over Hamas’ denial, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging survivors’ experiences.
However, two Israeli investigators have cautioned against using precise numbers of rape victims at this stage, as the evidence is still being collected. Many activists, including Jewish women’s groups, have taken to the streets in protest outside the U.N. headquarters, accusing the organization of failing to protect Israeli women.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand have urged the U.N. to condemn Hamas as a terrorist organization that uses rape as a weapon of war. They have emphasized the urgent need for action and justice.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged the numerous accounts of sexual violence and called for a vigorous investigation and prosecution. U.N. Women has also condemned the Hamas attack and called for all accounts of gender-based violence to be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
To address these grave concerns, a U.N. commission of inquiry will focus on the sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7 attacks. It will share any obtained evidence with the International Criminal Court to ensure justice is served. However, Israel has decided not to cooperate with the commission, citing bias against their country.
Highlighting the severity of the issue, the State Department has urged full and credible investigations into the reports of rape and stressed the urgency of addressing these horrific acts.
As this investigation unfolds, the world anxiously awaits justice for the victims while hoping for a swift resolution to this deeply concerning situation.
