UN Reporters: Hamas Must Be Held Accountable for Violence and Sexual Assault in Attack on Israel

Two UN special rapporteurs on human rights have called for Hamas to be held accountable for a number of crimes attributed to the militant group, including torture and sexual assault, during the attack on Israel on October 6. Militants from this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, killed at least 1,200 people in this attack, most of whom were civilians. Alice Jill Edwards, the UN special rapporteur on torture, and Morris Tidball-Binz, the special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, have been appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the UN. They stated that an increasing number of evidence indicates concerning acts such as sexual torture, gang rapes, mutilation, and shooting in the genital area. The two rapporteurs deemed these actions as 'gross violations of international law' which, they emphasized, could amount to 'war crimes.' The statement noted that these actions 'given the number of victims and the extensive planning for the attacks, may also be recognized as crimes against humanity.' They pointed to evidence of live burnings of individuals and mutilated corpses, adding: 'Every victim, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender, deserves recognition, and our role is to be their voice.' Previously, Israeli officials had accused Hamas of such actions, and police investigators in the country are also gathering evidence of sexual violence cases. However, Hamas has denied these actions. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the United Nations, reacted to the statements of the two special rapporteurs on social media, calling for Hamas's actions in committing horrific sexual violence to be condemned immediately and explicitly. AFP reported that Israel criticized the United Nations for not adequately addressing such violent actions that occurred during Hamas's attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a December interview with CNN, condemned sexual violence by Hamas members and severely criticized those who have not strongly condemned these actions or have been slow to do so. Israel claims that more than 130 hostages from about 250 taken during Hamas's attack are still in Hamas's hands, with at least 24 hostages having been killed during this time. The Gaza Health Ministry states that since October 6, Israel's bombings and ground attacks have killed over 23,000 people, most of whom are women and children. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly accused this militant group of using civilians as human shields and stated that Hamas uses civilian buildings such as schools and hospitals for military operations. Joe Biden: Everyone must strongly condemn the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists without hesitation. Blinken: The sexual violence by Hamas members in the attack on Israel is 'indescribable.' The account of a freed Israeli hostage from Gaza: Not everyone was lucky. Biden: Hamas's refusal to release young women led to the failure of continued temporary ceasefire negotiations. Israel is investigating the possibility of 'sexual crimes' committed by Hamas members.