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UN Urged to Recognize Hamas's Sexual Violence Against Hostages

12/4/2025

Summary

Story summary

Jewish and Israeli rights groups urged the United Nations to recognize Hamas's systematic sexual violence against hostages seized on October 7, 2023.
More than 300 Jewish leaders, including women's rights advocates, asked Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women, to be removed after she denied rape occurred.
They cited United Nations reports indicating reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence took place during the attack.

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Story summary

Jewish and Israeli rights groups urged the United Nations to recognize Hamas's systematic sexual violence against hostages seized on October 7, 2023.
More than 300 Jewish leaders, including women's rights advocates, asked Reem Alsalem, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women, to be removed after she denied rape occurred.
They cited United Nations reports indicating reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence took place during the attack.