The Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, which represents the families of people abducted in Gaza, released a video about it Atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre.
The video features actresses Mayim Bialik, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kathy Ireland and Patricia Heaton (photo), next to the head of operations from Meta, Sheryl Sandbergdetailing testimony from the New York Times and the Telegraph about widespread sexual violence against women and children.
“It is not just a report of atrocities, but a call to action,” the organization said in a statement. “This is a strong reminder that Silence and denial only serve to hurt victims further. It is a call for the world to recognize these heinous crimes and to show solidarity with the survivors and those still held captive.”
“We call on the global community not only to watch but also to act. We call on everyone to stand up for the women held hostage, who are still suffering the atrocities of their captors, and to demand their release. We have to bring them home,” he added.
Watch the video here.
Around 3,000 Hamas terrorists entered southern Israel on October 7 and killed around 1,200 people, most of them civilians. The group also took another 240 hostages.
The New York Times reveals shocking details
Sexual crimes were one of Hamas' methods and other terrorist groups on October 7th. Israeli police are investigating several cases of sexual violence and have collected evidence from dozens of cases.
A twomonth New York Times investigation detailed how the Hamas used sexual violence as a weaponwith gruesome details showing “a pattern of rape, mutilation and extreme brutality against women in attacks on Israel.”
Video evidence confirmed by the American newspaper includes the case of Gal Abdush, “a woman in a black dress lying on her back, dress torn, legs open, vagina exposed,” whose face was burned beyond recognition.
Based on images from Videos, photos, GPS data and interviews with more than 150 peopleThe report identified at least seven locations where Israeli women and girls were sexually assaulted or mutilated.
Details from the NYT showed that the attacks on women were part of a broader pattern of genderbased violence and these were not “isolated cases”.
Also read: David Schwimmer interviews activists who deny the Hamas massacre