Former hostage condemns UN Special Rapporteur's silence on Hamas' October 7 sexual violence (opens original article in a new tab)

A former Gaza hostage criticized a UN Special Rapporteur for not addressing Hamas' sexual violence against Israelis during the October 7, 2023 attack, while the Rapporteur denied allegations of mass rape and called them 'misinformation'.

• Former hostage Ilana Gritzewsky criticized UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem for not mentioning Hamas in her report on violence against women
• Gritzewsky described being sexually assaulted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 massacre and her subsequent captivity
• Alsalem denied allegations of mass rape during October 7, calling the claims 'misinformation' used to justify 'genocide against Palestinians'
• Gritzewsky previously spoke at the UN Security Council in August 2025 about her experience as a former hostage