Hamas deliberately used sexual violence as a weapon of war on October 7. This is the conclusion reached by staff members of an Israeli project after analyzing witness statements and recordings.
Reader warning: This article contains descriptions of disturbing acts of sexual violence committed by Palestinian terrorists.
The Bible tells the story of Dinah in Genesis 34. She was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. When she went out to "see the daughters of the land," she was raped by a man named Shechem. Her brothers Simeon and Levi avenged her. Dinah returned home. We learn nothing more about her life.
Dina represents victims who are unable to obtain justice. The Israeli "Dinah Project" is named after her. It addresses sexual violence on and after October 7, 2023, particularly against hostages in the Gaza Strip. The project aims to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.
A book summarizing the findings of the staff members has now been published: "A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond." It was presented in Jerusalem in early July. Contributors include law professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, former judge Nava Ben-Or, and former head of the military prosecutor's office, Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas. Amit Susana, a former hostage who speaks openly about the sexual violence she suffered at the hands of Hamas, is a member of the supervisory board. Beate Rudolf, director of the German Institute for Human Rights, is also a German national.
In their 84-page report, the authors cite victims, eyewitnesses, and first responders. They also analyzed video and audio material. Their aim is to demonstrate that Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon of war during the massacre. Their primary goal is to ensure that this is denounced internationally. They hope that their case study will prevent similar incidents in the future, as they will no longer go unpunished. They dedicate the book to the victims of sexual violence on and after October 7th – and to all those affected everywhere.
At least six crime scenes
According to witness statements and forensic material, sexual assaults occurred at at least six locations: at the Nova music festival, on Highway 232 (known as the "Road of Death"), at the Nahal Os military base, and in the kibbutzim Re'im, Nir Os and Kfar Asa.
Most of the victims were murdered during the massacre. Survivors are traumatized; most are currently unable to speak about their brutal experiences. Nevertheless, the authors had access to statements from female witnesses and also from two male witnesses who themselves experienced sexual violence. Among them is a survivor of an attempted rape on October 7.
In addition, there are 15 former hostages who were victims of sexual violence or witnessed such an act. The two men were released from Hamas captivity in January and February of this year, where they had been sexually humiliated.
Furthermore, 17 eyewitnesses describe at least 15 different incidents. They report, for example, on gang rapes during the massacre and on the threat of sexual violence in the form of forced marriage against hostages. The authors note that the witnesses are also survivors and therefore traumatized. Some observed the assaults from a hiding place while their own lives were in danger. Others heard noises, including the screams of women pleading for help or begging the perpetrator to stop.
All first responders described the same scenes
At the six sites, 27 first responders documented at least 30 cases where bodies showed clear signs of sexual violence. The fact that the responders were on duty while fighting continued made it impossible to obtain a comprehensive overview. However, all the first responders from the Nova Festival described the same scenes.
Second-hand workers at the central morgue at the Shura military base made corresponding observations. Murdered victims were bleeding from their lower abdomens. Some had gunshot wounds or burns to their genitals. The "Dinah Project" reports bodies with objects inserted into their genital areas. Murdered women were found naked, chained to trees. Many partially or completely naked bodies had their legs spread. A pattern is discernible.
While strictly adhering to confidentiality and secrecy, the authors were also able to analyze information from health services and therapists who support survivors of sexual violence. Some of the assaults occurred on October 7th, and some took place while the victims were being held hostage. According to the findings, there is strong evidence of mistreatment, torture, sexual violence, and gang rape.
During the massacre, terrorists posted a large number of real-time videos on social media, including depictions of sexual humiliation. The video showing the abduction of the body of German-Israeli Shani Louk from the Nova Festival became particularly notorious. She was thrown almost completely naked onto the back of a van and displayed in Gaza. Terrorists applauded. Her body was later discovered by the Israeli army and buried in Israel in May 2024.
A large portion of the video footage was deleted
A phone call between a Hamas terrorist and his officer was intercepted by Israeli intelligence. He spoke of a "sabaya" that attackers had brought with them to Gaza. The Arabic word means "racial mare." It can refer to a female prisoner, but also to sex slavery. The authors see a parallel to Yazidi women and girls who were abused by the Islamic State in Iraq. The terrorist who conducted the call, however, worked for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
A large portion of the material was later deleted due to its violent content. According to the report, YouTube alone removed approximately 85,000 files containing "repulsive content." Nevertheless, sufficient material remained available.
The “Dinah Project” emphasizes that sexual violence in war is directed first against a community to humiliate it – and only then against individual victims. This distinguishes it from everyday sexual assaults.
Jews portrayed as "inferior people"
The research findings clearly indicate to the staff that the use of sexual violence was planned and not spontaneous. The report also addresses the indoctrination of the Nukhba Front, the particularly brutal Hamas brigade largely responsible for the atrocities of October 7th. The terrorists were indoctrinated with the belief that Jews were inferior beings and therefore a "holy war" had to be waged against them.
The authors write that the Hamas Charter of 1988 already mixed radical Islamist doctrine with traditional European and National Socialist antisemitism. Furthermore, the terrorists had trained to break into safe houses and take hostages. Civilians were a clear target of the terrorist attack.
The “Dinah Project” is appealing to the United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres is being urged to add Hamas to the list of organizations that use sexual violence as a weapon of war. Furthermore, the sexual violence of October 7th must be denounced as a crime against humanity.
The book concludes with the statement: “May this account serve not only as a means to justice, but also as a testament to the resilience of those who suffered, as a memorial to those who were murdered, and as a symbol of our shared commitment to truth and the endeavor to bring about justice and recognition for the victims of October 7 and beyond.” (Israelnetz)
