Raz Cohen, a survivor of Hamas’ murderous rampage in Israel on October 7, recounted a horrific scene in which a group of men pulled a woman from a van, raped her, and then killed her with a knife before raping her again. Israeli police have documented cases of rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas fighters during the attacks on the music festival and kibbutz communities near the border. However, the United Nations and human rights organizations were slow to denounce these reports, and Hamas has denied that its fighters committed sexual violence.
Survivors like Cohen have shared their accounts of witnessing brutal attacks, with evidence to support their claims. Israeli Police Superintendent Dudi Katz reported having collected over 1,000 statements and 60,000 video clips related to the attacks, including multiple accounts of women being raped. Combat paramedics and organizers of the music festival have also described scenes of victims with no clothes and signs of sexual violence. The United Nations has found grounds to believe accounts of rape and gang rape in the October 7 attacks.
Despite the denial from Hamas and the slow response from international organizations, individuals like Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a human rights law expert, are determined to document evidence of the attacks to ensure that the atrocities are not overlooked or forgotten. Elkayam-Levy, along with colleagues, has formed a civil commission to gather information about the sexual violence that occurred during the attacks. She emphasizes the importance of remembering and acknowledging the experiences of the victims, who are no longer able to speak for themselves.
The violent and disturbing events that transpired during the Hamas attacks have left a lasting impact on survivors like Raz Cohen. Cohen described feeling like he was on a firing range as he ran across the desert field, witnessing multiple horrifying scenes, including the rape and murder of innocent victims. He highlighted the lack of immediate help or rescue during the chaos and recounted waiting in a bush for nine hours until help arrived.
The brutal acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas fighters during the attacks have raised questions about the treatment of survivors and the accountability of those responsible. The personal belongings of festival-goers left at the site of the attack serve as a haunting reminder of the trauma and loss experienced by victims and their families. Despite the challenges and complexities of addressing such atrocities, efforts are being made to seek justice and ensure that the victims are not forgotten.
The accounts of rape, murder, and sexual violence that emerged from the October 7 attacks in Israel have shocked the world and sparked outrage among those calling for justice and accountability. Israeli authorities continue to investigate the incidents and gather evidence to support the claims made by survivors and witnesses. The stories shared by individuals like Raz Cohen and others serve as a powerful testimony to the horrors faced by innocent victims and the urgent need to address such heinous crimes in conflict zones like Gaza and Israel.
