Following the attacks by Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel, a disturbing pattern of sexual violence against women has been revealed. The New York Times conducted a thorough two-month investigation, exposing distressing details that suggest instances of sexual assault and mutilation at multiple locations targeted by the terrorists.
Among the victims is Gal Abdush, a mother of two from central Israel, who went missing during a rave that turned into a massacre site. A viral video captured by a woman searching for her missing friend showed Gal Abdush lying on the road, partially clothed, with her face severely burned and unrecognizable.
Based on video evidence, Israeli police officials believe that Gal Abdush was raped, and her tragic experience has become emblematic of the atrocities suffered by Israeli women during the attacks. The investigation identified at least seven locations where Israeli women and girls seem to have been subjected to sexual assault or mutilation. The New York Times interviewed 150 individuals, including witnesses, medical personnel, soldiers, and rape counselors, offering a comprehensive understanding of the extensive gender-based violence that occurred on October 7.
The terror unfolded at the rave, military bases along the Gaza border, and Kibbutzim. Witnesses described graphic scenes of women being raped and killed at different locations along Route 232, the highway where Gal Abdush’s body was found.
Volunteer medics and soldiers reported discovering more than 30 bodies of women and girls in a state similar to Gal Abdush’s—legs spread, clothes torn off, and signs of abuse in their genital areas, according to the NYT.
The report further states that The Times viewed disturbing photographs and videos, including one woman’s corpse with nails driven into her thighs and groin. Another video, provided by the Israeli military, showed two dead soldiers at a base near Gaza who appeared to have been shot directly in their genital areas.
Hamas has denied accusations of sexual violence, leading to outrage among Israeli activists. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN Women faced criticism for not acknowledging the accusations promptly, as reported by The New York Times.
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The Israeli police, recognizing the challenges amidst the chaotic events of October 7, disclosed that they were initially not focused on collecting forensic evidence from women’s bodies. The chaotic atmosphere, grief, and religious obligations resulted in hurried burials, leaving many bodies unexamined. The absence of autopsies and crime scene examinations has left families seeking answers.
The investigation encountered obstacles in gathering forensic evidence, a common challenge in cases of widespread sexual violence during conflicts.
The absence of autopsies and the swift burial of bodies have resulted in potential evidence being interred. While some survivors of sexual assault have been identified, their trauma has made it challenging for them to speak publicly. The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel emphasized the significance of comprehending the broader narrative through the victims’ stories, as reported by The New York Times.
