Senior U.S. Officials Discuss Sexual Violence by Hamas with UN Representative

On Friday, March 9, Biden administration officials met with Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence, to discuss her report released earlier this week. This report confirmed allegations of sexual violence during Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7 and testimonies from hostages held by Hamas. John Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor, Jennifer Klein, Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, and Rebecca Leisenring, Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, were among the officials who met with Patten. According to a report released by the White House, 'Patten outlined the scope and methodology of her team's mission from January 28 to February 15 in Israel and the West Bank and her findings from this trip during the meeting.' The report adds: 'White House officials expressed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris's deep concern regarding horrific reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and reports of sexual violence against hostages.' The statement continues: 'Participants also discussed the need to investigate all credible allegations and necessary actions to hold perpetrators accountable.' White House officials emphasized the importance of preventing harm to Israeli and Palestinian civilians and expressed their deep concern about the loss of innocent lives and reports of sexual violence by Hamas. On March 5, Patten stated in her report that there is substantial evidence to support claims of 'sexual violence' by Hamas forces during the October 7 attack on Israel. Based on firsthand accounts from released hostages, she said: 'There is clear and compelling evidence that some women and children were subjected to sexual violence, including rape and sexual torture, during their captivity.' In a press conference presenting the report, she emphasized that during her and her team's time in Israel, despite extensive efforts, they were unable to meet with victims of Hamas's sexual violence, but team members were able to interview 34 individuals, including survivors and witnesses of the October 7 attacks, released hostages, health officials, and others, gathering their evidence. The UN representative also noted that 'based on collected information regarding sexual violence related to the conflict during Hamas's attacks, at least in three locations in Gaza, sexual assault and gang rape occurred, and several bodies, fully naked or semi-naked from the waist down, mostly women, were found with their hands bound and gunshot wounds to the head.' Following Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 250 others, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed militia group. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries around the world have listed the Palestinian group Hamas as a terrorist organization.