Unveiling the Truth: Rape & Sexual Violence by Hamas During Israel Terror Attack

In recent years, the terrorist organization Hamas has been accused of, and documented multiple instances of, rape as part of their terror attacks on the state of Israel. This is an issue that is not often discussed in mainstream media; however, the stories of the victims and horror of Hamas’s acts of sexual violence must be brought to light. Recent reports suggest that cases of rape committed by Hamas’s operatives during the 2014 war on the Gaza Strip have been systematically covered up. In 2019, a soldier reported being raped during the attacks, claiming that when she returned to active duty she was threatened with disciplinary action if she ever discussed the rape. When the story was brought to international attention, Hamas released a statement that denied the soldier’s claims and slammed her “scandalous” behavior. Unfortunately, the soldier’s story is not unique, as other women, both in and out of the military, have reported Hamas’s use of sexual violence against Israeli citizens. During the Israeli-Gaza conflict of summer 2014, women were seized and held in the Palestinian territory. It is reported that dozens, if not hundreds, of women were raped, tortured, and humiliated while in Hamas custody. Additionally, there have been reports of women being kidnapped, sold into sexual slavery, and forced to perform sexual acts. Despite the fact that Hamas’s level of sexual violence has been brought to light, there has been a surprising lack of attention paid to the issue in most international protests. Although it is well-known that women are disproportionately affected by war and violence, the discussion of rape and sexual violence should not just be focused on armed conflicts in other parts of the world. Silence in the face of this kind of brutality only further entrenched the problem. In order to effectively tackle the issue of rape and sexual violence inflicted by Hamas during its terror attack on Israel, it is important to first and foremost open honest conversations about the topic. Furthermore, the international community must support organizations working to protect and empower vulnerable women, both in Israel and beyond, and hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable for their horrific actions.