"UN Envoy: Evidence of Sexual Violence in Hamas Attack on Israel"

A United Nations team led by special envoy Pramila Patten reported "reasonable grounds to believe" that sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, occurred during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants. The team gathered information indicating sexual violence, including genital mutilation and sexualized torture, and found evidence of conflict-related sexual violence against hostages taken to Gaza. The report also raised allegations of sexual violence against Palestinian men and women in detention settings, house raids, and checkpoints after the attack. Israel has criticized the U.N.'s response, while Hamas has rejected the accusations.