A report by the representative of the UN Secretary-General on sexual violence during conflict, Premila Patten, confirms that there is evidence that sexual violence was used during the attack in the Gaza Envelope. According to sources exposed to the report, he will also deal with serious acts of rape in the Otef massacre, including gang rape. The report also confirms that the abductees in Gaza have undergone sexual violence and that there is a possibility that it is still occurring – and calls on Hamas to release all the abductees immediately and unconditionally. The full investigation report will be published at 21:00.
During his speech, Ambassador Erdan screened recordings of women who witnessed sexual assaults at the UN General Assembly and read: “In the last five months, there has not been a single discussion or panel on behalf of the UN on the crimes against Israeli women or on the situation of the abductees in Gaza,” the ambassador noted. : “The UN has become a collaborator with rapists and perverts.” Foreign Minister Israel Katz also commented on the report and wrote: “We still haven’t heard a word from the UN Secretary General, Guterres wake up”
Patten made a professional visit to the Gaza Envelope about two months ago to examine the reports of rape by Hamas terrorists, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through Ambassador Gilad Erdan. However, sources exposed to the conclusions of the report say that they were unable to attribute the acts only to Hamas, and it recommends, among other things, to allow access to the UN Human Rights Commission – which is not recognized as a legitimate body in Israel.
Pramila Patten | Photo: Exposure with Haim Etgar, Keshet 12
The findings of the report indicate the existence of sexual abuse within the attack itself, including reference to specific areas such as the Nova Festival, Route 232, Ra’im, Nahal Oz and Bari as well as sexual abuse within the captivity by Hamas. The main conclusions of the report are that there is evidence, mainly circumstantial, that severe sexual violence was used during the attack, including rape, gang rape, rape of corpses, mutilation of women, nudity and tying up of corpses. In addition, it emerged that there is clear information that the abductees in Gaza were subjected to sexual violence and it is believed that this is still happening.
Contrary to the accepted procedure according to which the findings of her audit will be included in the Secretary General’s report, Patten decided to publish alongside the press release a special full report on her behalf. It is unusual for Patten to publish an independent report. It is possible that this move was taken after she had time to hold a briefing with the Secretary General on the subject and understood what he intended to include in the report. It was also reported that Patten believes that the report of her visit to Israel includes many important elements and she sees importance in disclosing them to the public.
Kibbutz Nir Oz after the Hamas attack on October 7 | Photo: Haim Goldberg, Flash90
It was also emphasized in the report that within the framework of the team’s time and professional ability, they are unable to attribute the acts to Hamas, contrary to the possibility that the acts were carried out at least in part by Islamic Jihad elements or others who arrived after the Hamas attack. Therefore, the report recommends, among other things, allowing access to the Israel Human Rights Commission Also, the report calls on all relevant parties to bring the accused to justice (including the ICC) and for a humanitarian ceasefire by all parties.
Kibbutz Ra’im after the Hamas attack Photo: Yossi Zamir, Flash90
The report also deals with Patten’s visit to Ramallah where the officials entrusted to deal with the issue in the Palestinian Authority reported problematic patterns in the conduct of the Israeli security forces, mainly in the framework of inspections at crossings, arrests and raids on houses at night.
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