A Civil Commission on Oct. 7 Crimes Against Women and Children report, released Tuesday, concludes Hamas and its allies used sexual and gender-based violence 'deliberately and systematically' during the 2023 massacres in southern Israel.
Investigators documented abuse at multiple sites, including the Nova Music Festival, border kibbutzim, and IDF bases. The report identifies at least 13 recurring forms of abuse, including rape, sexual torture, and genital mutilation.
Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, the commission's founder, stated the team aimed to overcome denial and hesitation, ensuring the world knows what happened to victims. The report details sexual violence inflicted in front of family members and the use of video and social media to amplify psychological harm.
Victims from 52 countries were affected. The report calls for targeted sanctions against perpetrators and a specialized judicial chamber in Israel to prosecute sexual and gender-based crimes from Oct. 7 and subsequent captivity.