UN team says Hamas likely carried out sexual violence in Israel on 7 October

There are “reasonable grounds to believe” sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, was committed by Hamas during the 7 October attacks, according to a UN team. 

The team also said there was “convincing information” that hostages had been subjected to sexual violence.

Hamas has denied its gunmen sexually assaulted women during the attacks. 

“The mission team found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the 7 October attacks,” the UN report said.

It added these happened in at least three locations – the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, Road 232, and Kibbutz Re’im.

Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on 7 October – killing about 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage.

In response, Israel launched a massive military campaign in Gaza, during which 30,500 people have been killed. 

In the report, the UN said it had “found clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages”.

It also said it “has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held in captivity”.

The UN team visited Israel between 29 January and 14 February.