Overview
- An independent commission’s nearly 300-page report finds Hamas used sexual violence as a planned tactic during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and throughout abduction, transport, and captivity.
- Investigators cite 430 survivor interviews, forensic analysis, and more than 10,000 photos and videos, many recorded and posted by the attackers themselves.
- Researchers identified 13 repeating patterns that included gang rape, shootings to the genitals, mutilation, desecration of bodies, and forced filming of abuse.
- The commission concludes the documented acts amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide under international law.
- Israel has approved a special tribunal to try Oct. 7 suspects with judges allowed to impose the death penalty, while Hamas continues to deny the allegations.