Israeli commission concludes Hamas perpetrated systematic sexual violence during October 7 attacks

An independent Israeli investigative commission has released a report concluding that Hamas and allied Palestinian militant groups committed systematic and widespread sexual violence during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The findings specifically address the violence perpetrated against hostages held in Gaza as well as during the initial assault.

Released on 12 May, the report characterises the acts as both systematic and widespread, marking a significant development in the assessment of the conflict's human cost. This determination comes from a dedicated body tasked with investigating the events of that day and the subsequent hostage situation.

The commission's conclusions are not presented in isolation but rather build upon the work of previous investigations. Notably, the report draws on prior inquiries conducted by the United Nations to establish a comprehensive picture of the scale of sexual violence involved.

By synthesising these earlier efforts, the new commission aims to provide a definitive account of the full extent of the atrocities. The focus remains strictly on the actions of Hamas and its allied groups during the specific timeframe of the October 7 attacks and the period hostages were detained.

While the report confirms the nature of the violence, the specific methodology employed by the commission to reach these conclusions is not detailed in the available summary. Similarly, exact statistical data regarding the number of victims or specific incidents are not included in the current briefing.

The release of this document underscores the ongoing efforts to document the realities of the conflict through institutional review. It serves as a critical reference point for understanding the gravity of the events described by the commission.