In a recent political fundraiser in Boston, President Joe Biden shocked the audience with accounts of horrifying atrocities committed by Hamas during its October 7 assault on southern Israel.
The president cited survivors and witnesses, detailing disturbing incidents of sexual violence and mutilation perpetrated against women.
Hamas Horrific Crimes
According to Biden, the survivors’ testimonies revealed “unimaginable cruelty” as he described the reports of women being repeatedly raped, their bodies mutilated while still alive, and corpses desecrated.
He called upon international organizations, civil society, and individuals to condemn sexual violence unequivocally, emphasizing the need for a global response to such heinous acts.
The Supernova Music Festival site, where hundreds of Israelis lost their lives on October 7, serves as a haunting backdrop to these disturbing events. Burnt-out cars and remnants of the tragic incident underscore the severity of the situation.
Israeli authorities are actively investigating potential sexual crimes committed by those arrested in connection with the October 7 attack. The country’s justice ministry has reported victims being tortured, physically abused, raped, burned alive, and dismembered.
Hamas vehemently denies the allegations, asserting that no sexual assault or mutilation occurred during or after the October 7 attack.
Despite this denial, Israel took the matter to the United Nations in New York, where a special event focused on sexual violence against women during the assault was held.
Israel criticized the world body’s response to the attacks, calling for a united condemnation of weaponized sexual violence.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the global community’s responsibility to respond to weaponized sexual violence with absolute condemnation.
She declared rape as a weapon of war to be a crime against humanity in a pre-recorded video presented at the event.
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Joe Biden’s Urgency to Free Hostages
President Biden attributed the recent collapse of a truce to Hamas, stating that the group’s refusal to release young women was the breaking point. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of sabotaging negotiations to extend the ceasefire, which resumed on December 1 but has since faltered.
Since the resumption of hostilities, Israeli forces have escalated ground operations in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties. Health officials in Gaza report that 16,248 people were killed in Israel’s attacks, highlighting the devastating toll on the Palestinian population.
During the fundraiser, President Biden emphasized the urgency of returning those still held hostage by Hamas to their families immediately, vowing not to relent in these efforts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently met with hostages returned by Hamas, spoke of heartbreaking stories of thirst, hunger, physical and mental abuse, and instances of sexual assault.
Some relatives attending the meeting expressed bitter criticism of the government, with one parent, Dani Miran, walking out, feeling insulted by the proceedings
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