UN envoy says 'reasonable grounds' to believe Hamas committed sexual violence on Oct 7

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Key Points

The UN envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict said in a new report Monday that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Hamas committed rape, "sexualized torture," and other cruel and inhumane treatment of women during its surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7...

Based on first-hand accounts of released hostages, she said the team "found clear and convincing information" that some women and children during their captivity were subjected to the same conflict-related sexual violence including rape and "sexualized torture."..

Based on the information it gathered, Patten said, "there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the October 7 attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations.".

At the Nova music festival and its surroundings, Patten said, "there are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple incidents of sexual violence took place with victims being subjected to rape and/or gang rape and then killed or killed while being raped."..

People fleeing the Nova music festival also attempted to escape south and sought shelter in and around kibbutz Reim where Patten said there are "reasonable grounds" to believe sexual violence occurred.. The mission team verified the rape of a woman outside a bomb shelter and heard of other allegations of rape that could not yet be verified...

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