A recent report has shed light on the horrific events that took place during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This new document, released by the Dinah Project, reveals a disturbing pattern of systematic and premeditated sexual violence against Israeli women. The report highlights that this brutal assault was not random but part of a calculated strategy by Hamas and individuals from the Gazan population.
The Dinah Project draws its name from a biblical story involving Jacob’s daughter, who was a victim of violence. The report details the savage treatment of Israeli women, many of whom were murdered alongside the sexual assaults. It emphasizes that the violence was used as a weapon of war, with sexual crimes being a deliberate tactic to instill terror.
The report states that the sexual assaults were carried out in a systematic manner, indicating a troubling level of planning. A separate UN report noted that many victims were found in horrific conditions, often partially undressed, with their hands restrained and showing signs of violence. Tragically, the majority of the women who suffered these assaults were among the 1,166 people killed in the attack, leaving many stories untold, as survivors may be too traumatized to speak out.
One chilling aspect highlighted in the report is the threat of forced marriages for female hostages, which was mentioned by several individuals who escaped captivity. This indicates a further intention to exploit these women sexually.
Witness accounts describe multiple incidents of gang rapes, with some victims being murdered shortly after the assaults. First responders reported finding female bodies in shocking states, often bleeding and showing signs of significant violence.
The report calls for accountability and urges the international community to recognize these acts as crimes against humanity. It stresses the need for a strong response to the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, demanding that the perpetrators be held responsible.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of this attack, the Dinah Project’s findings serve as a stark reminder of the brutal realities faced by many during this tragic event.