[ad_1]
The United Nations’ particular consultant on sexual violence in battle has accepted Israel’s invitation to analyze allegations of intercourse crimes dedicated by Hamas on Oct. 7, a spokesman for Israel’s Ministry of International Affairs mentioned on Tuesday.
The U.N. official, Pramila Patten, is anticipated to return to Israel inside weeks and has been granted investigative authority by the international ministry, mentioned the spokesman, Lior Haiat.
Ms. Patten “plans on briefing the media on the premise of the findings of her go to upon return to New York,” mentioned Géraldine Boezio, a spokeswoman for her workplace.
Final month, The New York Occasions printed an investigation that uncovered new particulars displaying a sample of rape, mutilation and excessive brutality towards ladies in the course of the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7.
The Occasions verified video footage and used images, GPS knowledge from cellphones and interviews with greater than 150 individuals, together with witnesses, medical personnel, troopers and rape counselors, to ascertain that the assaults weren’t remoted occasions however a part of a broader sample of gender-based violence.
In response to the Occasions investigation, Hamas mentioned in a press release that the group’s leaders “categorically deny such allegations” and known as them part of Israel’s try and justify the killing of Palestinian civilians.
The group’s assertion on Dec. 31 added that Hamas fighters’ “faith, values and tradition” forbid such acts, and asserted that the brief period of the assault earlier than the assailants withdrew to Gaza made the allegations implausible. It mentioned it will welcome any worldwide inquiries into the allegations.
A Hamas spokesman didn’t reply to an electronic mail despatched on Tuesday.
Hamas has additionally denied committing atrocities towards civilians within the Oct. 7 assault, however in depth witness testimony and documentary proof, together with movies posted on social media by Hamas fighters, point out that Hamas gunmen in uniform killed civilians of their houses, in vehicles, on the streets and in different settings.
On Monday, two U.N. human rights consultants mentioned that the violence dedicated in the course of the Hamas-led incursion, together with sexual atrocities, amounted to conflict crimes, if not crimes towards humanity.
[ad_2]
Source link
