At a U.N. meeting hosted by the Israeli ambassador on Monday, evidence aimed at proving that Hamas committed crimes of sexual violence during their Oct. 7 attack on Israel was presented. The evidence includes reports from first responders at the sites of the attack and from military reservists who worked to identify the bodies of those killed in the attack.
Hamas issued a statement denying the accusations, claiming that the claims are an effort to distort the Palestinian resistance and the “humane and moral dealings with detainees” that militants have shown. Sheryl Sandberg, the former CEO of Meta and founder of the nonprofit group Lean In, said, “The world has to decide who to believe. Do we believe the Hamas spokesperson who said rape is forbidden, therefore it couldn’t possibly have happened on Oct. 7? Or do we believe the women whose bodies tell us how they spent the last minutes of their lives?”
She emphasized that “rape should never be used as an act of war” and silence on these issues is complicity.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a vigorous investigation into the reports of sexual assault and urged for swift action.
In response to the claims against Hamas, the organization accused Israel of refusing to release hostages and alleged that the Israeli military turned down offers to release elderly captives as well as the bodies of hostages.
Meanwhile, Israel has resumed its assault on the Gaza Strip, expanding its ground offensive and launching repeated airstrikes in an attempt to eradicate Hamas militants from the strip. This has led to massive displacement, further deteriorating the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Furthermore, a study has indicated that some traders may have profited from stock deals that resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in profits by short-selling some Israeli stocks before the Oct. 7 attack. The Israel Securities Authority has confirmed that it is under investigation by all relevant parties.
Additionally, the USS Carney responded to an incident involving attacks against commercial ships in the Red Sea, although it is unclear whether the warship was a targeted part of the hostilities.
These developments come as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, further increasing tensions and raising concerns about the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.