ASHKELON, Israel (AP) – The brutal and disturbing accounts of sexual violence during the Hamas rampage in Israel on October 7 have shocked the nation. Survivors have come forward to share their harrowing experiences during the attacks.
Raz Cohen, a witness to the tragic events, recounted his ordeal at the Nova music festival in southern Israel. He described in chilling detail how a group of men brutally attacked and killed women, including his girlfriend Maya, during the deadly rampage. The coordinated attacks by Hamas fighters also targeted kibbutz communities near the border, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread condemnation.
Israeli police are actively documenting cases of rape and sexual violence committed during the attacks, with more than 1,200 people killed and over 200 taken hostage. Despite the global outrage and condemnation, Hamas has denied any involvement in sexual violence during the coordinated assaults.
As the investigation continues, eyewitnesses, including festival organizer Rami Shmuel and a combat paramedic, have provided firsthand accounts of the horrific scenes they witnessed. Reports of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence have prompted human rights organizations to denounce the attacks, calling for justice for the victims.
The survivors’ testimonies provide a harrowing insight into the horrors that unfolded during the traumatic events. The events have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice and accountability as authorities continue their efforts to uncover the truth behind the heinous crimes committed during the rampage.
In November, Israeli Police Superintendent Dudi Katz revealed that law enforcement had collected over 1,000 statements and 60,000 video clips related to the attacks, including multiple accounts of sexual violence. The evidence gathered will be crucial in bringing the perpetrators to justice and bringing closure to the victims and their families.