The United Nations’ particular consultant on sexual violence in battle has accepted Israel’s invitation to analyze allegations of intercourse crimes dedicated by Hamas on Oct. 7, a spokesman for Israel’s Ministry of International Affairs stated on Tuesday.
The U.N. official, Pramila Patten, is anticipated to return to Israel inside weeks and has been granted investigative authority by the overseas ministry, stated the spokesman, Lior Haiat.
Ms. Patten “plans on briefing the media on the basis of the findings of her visit upon return to New York,” stated Géraldine Boezio, a spokeswoman for her workplace.
Final month, The New York Instances printed an investigation that uncovered new details displaying a sample of rape, mutilation and excessive brutality towards ladies through the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7.
The Instances verified video footage and used pictures, GPS information from cell phones and interviews with greater than 150 individuals, together with witnesses, medical personnel, troopers and rape counselors, to determine that the assaults weren’t remoted occasions however a part of a broader sample of gender-based violence.
In response to the Instances investigation, Hamas stated in a press release that the group’s leaders “categorically deny such allegations” and referred to as them part of Israel’s try and justify the killing of Palestinian civilians.
The group’s assertion on Dec. 31 added that Hamas fighters’ “religion, values and culture” forbid such acts, and asserted that the quick period of the assault earlier than the assailants withdrew to Gaza made the allegations implausible. It stated it will welcome any worldwide inquiries into the allegations.
A Hamas spokesman didn’t reply to an e mail despatched on Tuesday.
Hamas has additionally denied committing atrocities towards civilians within the Oct. 7 assault, however in depth witness testimony and documentary proof, together with movies posted on social media by Hamas fighters, point out that Hamas gunmen in uniform killed civilians of their houses, in vehicles, on the streets and in different settings.
On Monday, two U.N. human rights experts stated that the violence dedicated through the Hamas-led incursion, together with sexual atrocities, amounted to battle crimes, if not crimes towards humanity.
