The UN Security Council meeting regarding Hamas sexual violence began with a briefing from the UN’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, who studied the issue and made her report to the Council.
“156 days have passed since the abduction of their loved ones, with no less than 16 women among the hostages," she began.
“On the one hand, nothing can justify the deliberate violence perpetrated by Hamas and other armed groups on the seventh of October against Israel. On the other hand, nothing can also justify the collective punishment of the people in Gaza, which has left tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and injured.”
“I must also state that I’m horrified by the injustice of women and children being killed in Gaza by countless bombs and gunfire, and I’m also outraged by the level of deaths and pain of entire families, often generations wiped out,” she added.
Her investigation included the finding that sexual violence may be ongoing against those still held hostage. “This does not in any way legitimize further hostilities, in fact it creates a moral imperative for a humanitarian ceasefire. Continuation of hostilities can in no way protect them,” she clarified.
She rejected the Israeli claim that the UN had attempted to suppress her report. “I must be clear and categorical: There has been no attempt by the secretary-general to silence my report or suppress its findings. On the contrary, I received his full support, politically, logistically, and financially; and he also gave clear instructions for the public release of my report, and its immediate transmission to the Security Council.”
Several Members of the Council denounced the Hamas attacks and sexual crimes, but also the impact the war has had on Palestinian women and children, and called for a permanent ceasefire and the release of the hostages. Several states also declared themselves 'appalled' at the reports of Israeli sexual violence against Palestinian detainees and prisoners, and expressed their dissatisfaction with the reliability of the information and cooperation Israel provided to the investigation.
A number of representatives also called for the reintroduction of the two-state solution, and creating a democratic state of Palestine within both Gaza and Judea and Samaria.
The Russian Federation, in particular, lashed out at Patten, declaring that she had presented a report based on "fakes and partial information" and that she had "blindly believed press statements". It also accused Israel of refusing to grant access for the investigation to the victims of Hamas crimes, and alleged she had fabricated Israel's cooperation with the investigation.
Russia likewise claimed that there was "systematic sexual abuse" of Palestinians, including "undressing and beating of the genitals", with those responsible "enjoying immunity". It accused Israel of gross violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Ecuador also cast doubt on the investigation, saying that the mission was 'not investigative in nature' and called for Israel to allow further investigations greater access. It also called for Israel to uphold the sanctity of the holy places of Jerusalem and Jordan's status as the custodian of those places.
The United States of America called for the council to denounce Hamas, saying "The evidence is damning and devastating". It added that the report drew an unjust comparison between hostage-taking and Israeli arrest of Palestinians. "The fighting could and should stop today, if Hamas would stop using people as pawns."
Algeria denounced Israel, saying that it systematically violated the rights of Palestinian detainees, pursued a deliberate policy of collective punishment. Among his other claims were that Palestinian women in Gaza had been kept in cages, that Israeli soldiers had raped Palestinian women, and that in 2022, Israeli military personnel had raped a 15-year-old Palestinian child. "Accountability is banned when the victims are Palestinian," the Algerian representative declared.
The Palestinian Authority representative blamed the continued war on Prime Minister Netanyahu's political maneuvering, and blamed Foreign Minister Israel Katz - who was present at the time - of using humanitarian aid a bargaining chip. He also declared that Israel had used beating, waterboarding, and threats against family members to force UNRWA staff into false confessions of association with Hamas. "Israel is attempting forced population transfer by making Gaza unliveable," he declared.
Katz later spoke at the meeting and said, "I'm standing here today in front of you, as the Foreign Minister of the State of Israel, together with families whose members are kidnapped in Gaza and are in great danger."
"I have come here to protest, as loud as I can, against the crimes against humanity that the Hamas murderers have committed, with clear permission from their religious leaders, in order to deter and scare the society of Israel."
"For too long, the UN has been silent on Hamas' actions. During the last five months and 41 sessions in which the UN convened since October 7, you have never condemned nor disapproved these Hamas crimes. The only one responsible for these crimes against humanity is Hamas," said Katz.
"Many countries have declared Hamas a terrorist organization," the Foreign Minister continued, before naming some of the countries that have done so. "Please, don't look away from the facts. Hamas must be declared a terrorist organization and face the heaviest sanctions possible."
"I'm demanding from the Security Council of the United Nations to put as much pressure as possible on the Hamas organization to release, immediately and unconditionally, all the hostages."