The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has finally spoken out about the allegations of sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. He said that such reports must be investigated and prosecuted, and that gender-based violence must be condemned anytime and anywhere. However, his statement was met with harsh criticism from the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, who accused him of trying to appease critics and doubting the facts.
The UN chief made his remarks over 50 days after the terrorist attack in Israel that resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and left thousands injured. The assault, attributed to Hamas, utilized rockets, drones, tunnels, and suicide bombers, marking the most severe increase in violence in the area since the 2014 Gaza war.
Israeli authorities have reported that Hamas terrorists committed sexual violence against Israeli women during the attack. Evidence suggests that at least
Israel has repeatedly called on the UN to condemn Hamas for these crimes and to launch an investigation. However, the UN has remained silent on the issue until now. Guterres, who has been criticized for his inaction and bias against Israel, finally broke his silence on Tuesday, during a briefing to the UN Security Council. He said that there are “numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.” He also tweeted later that “gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere.”
However, his statement did not satisfy Israel, which slammed him for taking too long to speak up and for not naming Hamas or terrorism. Erdan, the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, said that “the Secretary-General’s words only sharpen the fact that when it comes to Israeli women, sexual violence that has been proven by state authorities still needs to be ‘investigated.’” He also said that “for him, when it comes to Israeli women, you can doubt the facts and wait 55 days to call an unknown party to conduct an ‘investigation.’” Erdan suggested that Guterres was “merely trying to calm the justified anger of many around the world for his silence and the silence of the UN.” He also noted that the UN chief apparently felt no need to doubt any claims made by Hamas and the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which have been proven to be false or exaggerated in the past.
Erdan also reiterated his invitation to Guterres to visit Israel and see the evidence for himself. He said that “I once again invite the Secretary-General to come, unequivocally condemn Hamas for committing these shocking crimes, and act to open an investigation against Hamas.” He added that Israel will continue to defend its citizens and expose the truth about Hamas.
The UN has announced that a commission of inquiry investigating war crimes on both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict will focus on sexual violence by Hamas in the October 7 attacks and is about to launch an appeal for evidence. The commission, which was established by the UN Human Rights Council in October, is expected to present its report in June 2024. The UN has also said that it will provide evidence showing Hamas’ alleged sexual crimes. However, it is unclear whether the UN will take any concrete action against Hamas or hold it accountable for its violations of international law and human rights.
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