The United Nations will investigate sexual violence Israel claims Hamas terrorists committed against Israeli women and girls during their invasion on Oct. 7, satisfying a long-requested plea from Israel.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Wednesday that such reports of rape and sexual assault “must be vigorously investigated,” breaking weeks of silence on the issue.
“There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” Guterres said. His statement added: “Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere.”