United Nations Falls Short in Addressing October 7 Rape Cases

In a significant development, the United Nations has acknowledged Hamas as perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence, specifically referring to the atrocities committed on October 7, 2023. This acknowledgement came in an annual report published last month.

However, it's important to note that no country or organization has officially and specifically held Hamas responsible for these sexual violence crimes. The focus has been on Hamas’s terrorist attack causing civilian deaths, but explicit official accusations regarding sexual violence crimes by specific states or organizations have not been documented.

The UN's acknowledgement is considered overdue and undersold. The sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October was premeditated and designed to maximize suffering. Historically, sexual violence has been used during a conflict to humiliate and psychologically scar communities. The women raped and killed on that day deserved better than the apathy and hypocrisy of the UN.

The UN's response to these atrocities has been met with three main types of responses: outright denial, equivocation, and active silence. This is a stark contrast to the swift and forceful condemnation of Hamas's terrorist attacks that have caused civilian deaths.

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While the UN's acknowledgement is a step in the right direction, it's clear that more needs to be done to hold Hamas accountable for their crimes and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. As a reader, you have the power to make a difference by supporting independent journalism that champions truth and justice.