Independent Report Reveals Systematic Sexual Violence As A Deliberate Tactic In The October 7 Attacks

After two years of rigorous investigation, the Civil Commission has released a comprehensive report documenting sexual and gender-based violence committed by Hamas on October 7 and during hostage captivity. The report has documented that these crimes were systematic, widespread, and integral to the attacks. This determination is based on an unprecedented archive of primary evidence, including analysis of more than 10,000 photographs and video segments (over 1,800 hours), more than 430 interviews with survivors, returned hostages, witnesses and experts, and materials from victims representing 52 nationalities.

Content Warning: The following paragraph contains descriptions of sexual violence and abuse.

It identifies 13 recurring patterns of abuse across multiple sites and phases, from the attacks themselves through abduction, transfer, and prolonged captivity, including rape, sexual torture, violence in front of family members, and the systematic filming and dissemination of atrocities.

The Commission has created a dedicated, secure October 7 War Crimes Archive to preserve this evidence for future prosecutions under international law. Its findings build on and significantly expand earlier assessments, including those by the United Nations.

New Zealand has long championed human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of civilians from violence in conflict, including sexual violence. The Embassy of Israel in New Zealand urges media, policymakers, and civil society to read the full Executive Summary and to stand unequivocally against the denial or minimisation of these crimes. Rape and sexual violence are never resistance, they are war crimes that demand justice.

The full Executive Summary is available here:

https://www.civilc.org/silenced-no-more/executive-summary

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