'Girls pelvises broken, been raped so much': Hamas violated men, not just women, on October 7, say Israeli probers

In the aftermath of the brutal October 7 attacks, Israeli investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting that both men and women experienced sexual violence and rape perpetrated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, according to activists. In a report by The Daily Mail, Yael Sherer, a spokesperson for Israel’s Survivors of Sexual Violence advocacy group, highlighted the presence of physical evidence and eyewitness accounts supporting instances of sexual violence against both genders during the attacks. The investigation, led by Shelly Harush, is the largest ever conducted by Israeli police into sexual violence and crimes against women. Harush emphasized that sexual crimes were evidently part of the Hamas terrorists’ plan, with the intention to terrify and humiliate people. “Police have collected thousands of statements, photographs and video clips that have been called unbearable to watch from a mother’s perspective and include ‘girls whose pelvises were broken they had been raped so much,” Harush said. Yoni Saadon, a survivor of the Nova music festival attack, described witnessing horrifying acts of sexual violence against women during the assault. His account included a deeply disturbing incident where a woman was beheaded for refusing to be stripped naked. Saadon’s recollections underline the brutality and inhumanity of the attackers. The report also sheds light on the ongoing trauma faced by survivors, with support groups providing a space for individuals to share their harrowing experiences. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, a lawyer and professor, criticised international agencies for their reluctance to categorize the October 7 attacks as crimes against humanity, despite efforts by advocacy groups to draw attention to the explicit acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas. As the investigation continues, the evidence suggests widespread rape during the October 7 attacks, with numerous victims left naked and showing signs of severe injuries. Haim Outmezgine, commander of a Zaka unit, noted that the attackers seemed intent on spreading maximum horror, including killing, burning alive, and raping as part of their mission. David Katz, head of the Lahav 443 criminal investigation unit, indicated that the inquiry into these crimes could take six to eight months. The article emphasizes the urgent need for international recognition of the sexual violence as crimes against humanity, as survivors and advocates seek justice for the victims of this appalling tragedy.