A former hostage of the terrorist Hamas denounced to the UN sexual violence and the “silence” of the special rapporteur.
The former hostage of Hamas, Ilana Gritchevski testified before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva regarding the sexual violence that, as she said, women suffered during the October 7 attack and while in captivity, accusing the UN Special Rapporteur, Rim Al-Salem of “silence and denial” in the face of the relevant evidence.
“On October 7 and during captivity, Jewish women were raped, abused, and humiliated. And you, Special Rapporteur, choose silence and denial,” Gritchevsky stated at the Palais des Nations, addressing Special Rapporteur Rim Al-Salam, who was present.
“You say there was no evidence of sexual violence on October 7. I stand here today… as a woman who survived. I am living proof of sexual violence by Hamas,” she continued, saying that “she begged not to be raped” by her captors during her captivity.
It should be noted that, Gritchevski had also testified last year before the UN Security Council, where she said that her kidnappers “sexually assaulted” her, causing her to lose consciousness, and that she was forced to tell them she was on her period in order to avoid being raped.
As reported by the Times of Israel, Rim Al-Salam’s statements in 2025, in which she falsely claimed that no independent investigation had found that rapes were committed during the October 7 attack, sparked strong reactions from Israeli officials and Jewish organizations.
