Roni Ben Canaan and Hadas Ziv

As time goes on, a fuller picture of what transpired during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on the communities of the Gaza Envelope is beginning to emerge. It is becoming more apparent that the violence perpetrated against women, men, and children also included widespread sexual and gender-based crimes. While the full scale of the assault is yet to be uncovered, we consider it essential to present the information currently known to us. We have chosen to do so for several reasons. First and foremost, to encourage the reporting and documentation of these severe violations of international humanitarian law and fundamental moral principles, to advocate for international condemnation and sanctions against the perpetrators, and to prevent their recurrence. Secondly, to support the survivors and those who will hopefully still survive. Social and institutional recognition of the experiences of survivors is crucial to their capacity to describe what they endured. We hope that providing such recognition also promotes the allocation of social, professional, and financial resources to facilitate the conditions for their healing. Lastly, the publication of this position paper aims to bring attention to the urgent need to release the hostages still being held in Gaza. Those among them who endured or witnessed sexual and gender-based crimes face a higher risk of experiencing further violence and neglect while being denied vital physical and mental medical care. The increased danger to their well-being compels us to utilize all available means to promote their release from captivity and safe return.