Israeli Report Claims Hamas 'Weaponised' Sexual Abuse, Forced Israeli Captives To Have Sex With Family Members

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 08:01 IST

Israeli probe finds Hamas and collaborators used systematic, widespread sexual and gender based violence during and after October 7 attacks that killed 1200.

An independent Israeli investigation found that Hamas committed “systematic" sexual violence during and after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. At least 1,200 people died and several others were abducted after 5,000 to 6,000 Palestinian militants — primarily from Hamas, along with members of other armed groups — entered Israel by land, sea, and air. The militants launched coordinated attacks across multiple locations near the Gaza border.

The investigation, conducted by the Civil Commission on Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children, concluded that the violence was “systematic," “widespread," and “integral."

“Across multiple locations and phases of the assault, including during abduction, transfer, and captivity, Hamas and its collaborators deployed recurring tactics of sexual abuse and torture against victims," the report said.

“Following a two-year independent investigation, the Civil Commission concludes that sexual and gender-based violence was systematic, widespread, and integral to the October 7 attacks and their aftermath," it added.

The report is based on 430 interviews with survivors, witnesses, returned hostages, medical experts, first responders, and family members. More than 10,000 photographs and video segments were reviewed.

The report includes firsthand testimonies from more than 10 survivors who endured extreme sexual violence and abuse during the attack, their abduction, or while being held captive in Gaza.

Some of them, including former hostages Romi Gonen, Rom Braslavski, Arbel Yehud, Amit Soussana, and Ilana Gritzewsky, have spoken publicly about their ordeals.

In one particularly harrowing example, the report details three separate incidents of rape at the site of the Nova Music Festival near the Gaza border, citing a survivor who was hiding in the immediate vicinity of the attack.

“I heard one rape where they were passing her around. She was probably injured, judging by her screams — screams you have never heard anywhere," the survivor is quoted as saying.

What Happened on October 7, 2023?

Thousands of Hamas militants blew through Israel’s heavily fortified separation fence and crossed into the country from Gaza. They launched what has been described as the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history at the open-air Tribe of Nova music festival.

The militants opened fire on thousands of attendees. The attacks resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages, many of whom were taken into Gaza.

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