In a press release issued by Pramila Patten, it was stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, has occurred against individuals held by Hamas and other extremists in the Gaza Strip. The report was a result of an official visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank between January 29 and February 14. The UN team found a pattern of victims, mostly women, who were found bound, shot, and partially naked across multiple locations, indicating possible sexual violence. The team also stated that the full extent of the sexual violence committed during the attacks on October 7 may never be fully known.
The UN mission team, which consisted of Pramila Patten and nine experts, conducted meetings with Israeli representatives, examined thousands of images and hours of video footage, and conducted confidential interviews with survivors and witnesses of the attacks. The team acknowledged the challenges faced by Israeli authorities in collecting evidence related to the sexual violence. In addition to their visit to Israel, the team also visited Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to hear concerns raised over the treatment of Palestinians in detention, including allegations of sexual violence in the form of invasive searches, threats of rape, and forced nudity.
Patten’s recommendations included a call for the Israeli Government to grant full access to the UN human rights office and the independent Commission of Inquiry on the occupied territory to conduct independent investigations into all alleged violations. The information gathered by the team will complement existing data on conflict-related sexual violence inside Gaza for potential inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report on the issue. The team’s findings and recommendations highlight the need for further investigation and accountability for the reported acts of sexual violence.
The report from the UN team raised concerns over the treatment of individuals held by Hamas and other extremists in the Gaza Strip, as well as allegations implicating Israeli security forces and settlers. The team found reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the coordinated attack on October 7. The report emphasized the importance of conducting independent investigations to fully understand the extent of the sexual violence that occurred and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Overall, the report from Pramila Patten and the UN team highlights the urgent need to address and investigate allegations of sexual violence in the context of conflict in the region. The recommendations put forth by Patten, including granting access to independent investigators and conducting thorough investigations into all alleged violations, are crucial steps towards ensuring accountability and justice for victims of sexual violence. The findings of the report underscore the importance of addressing and preventing sexual violence in conflict situations to uphold human rights and promote peace and security in the region.
