An independent Israeli investigation has presented extensive evidence alleging that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out widespread sexual violence during the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel and against hostages held in Gaza.
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The 300-page report by the Civil Commission describes rapes, sexual assaults and sexual torture that it says were used deliberately to inflict maximum harm on victims. Researchers conclude that sexual violence was employed as a tactic during the assault.
The findings draw on hundreds of survivor and witness testimonies as well as thousands of photographs, videos and official records gathered from attack sites.
The Hamas-led attacks killed around 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 individuals taken hostage, marking the deadliest day in the country’s history.
Evidence from survivors and footage
The commission said its investigation included 430 filmed interviews with survivors and witnesses and analysis of more than 10,000 images and videos, including material filmed by attackers themselves.
Accounts in the report describe scenes of violence at several locations targeted during the assault, including the Nova music festival, where more than 370 people were killed.
Witnesses cited in the report describe hearing and seeing gang rapes during the attack at the festival. One male survivor recounted being abused by attackers. The report also records instances where victims who were raped or sexually assaulted were later shot.
Investigators documented recurring descriptions from multiple sites, including kibbutzim and military bases that were overrun, where bodies of women were reportedly found without underwear or with signs of genital mutilation.
The commission concluded that sexual and gender-based violence formed part of the attacks and described what it called the “weaponisation of sexual violence”.
Allegations of abuse in captivity
The report also states that sexual violence continued during captivity for some hostages held in Gaza, affecting both women and men.
Several former hostages have publicly spoken about abuse they say occurred while they were held, including Amit Soussana, Arbel Yehud, Romi Gonen, Rom Braslavski and Guy Gilbol Dalal. Other accounts cited in the report were shared privately with medical staff, therapists and investigators.
Among the claims detailed in the investigation is an allegation that two young relatives were forced by captors to perform sexual acts on each other. The report describes this as part of a pattern of violence that targeted family members and exploited relationships to instil fear.
The commission says the acts documented in its findings could amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocidal acts under international law.
Evidence gathered by the investigation has been placed in a secure archive and may be used in future legal proceedings.
Disputed claims and verification efforts
Hamas has repeatedly denied that sexual or gender-based violence occurred during the attacks or against hostages.
Previous investigations have also examined the issue. A report by the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that sexual violence, including gang rape, had taken place during the attacks.
Researchers involved in the Israeli investigation said they took additional steps to verify evidence because some early claims circulated by Israeli officials after the attack were later shown to be inaccurate. In addition, some forensic material was lost when first responders quickly cleared attack sites.
To preserve independence, the commission said it did not rely on statements obtained during Israeli interrogations of detained suspects.
The report’s authors said the project was intended not only to collect evidence for potential prosecutions but also to document events for the historical record.
Many victims of sexual violence during the attacks were killed, while others remain traumatised, the commission said. It added that the investigation aimed to ensure their experiences are recorded and not dismissed or forgotten.
The October 2023 assault triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has since killed 72,742 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations considers the ministry’s casualty figures broadly reliable.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026
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