Survivors recount experiences of sexual violence in captivity: Inside Hamas's hostage treatment in Gaza
Aviva Siegiel, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, was abducted by Hamas on October 7 along with her husband, Keith. Siegiel was released by the Palestinians at the end of November, thanks to a ceasefire agreement.
Feb 1, 2024 | updated: 4:32 AM EST, March 7, 2024
During a meeting of the newly formed Knesset club for victims of sexual and gender-based violence during the war with Hamas, she explained how Palestinian militants treat hostages:
I witnessed it firsthand. I felt as if the girls in captivity were like my daughters. The terrorists provide inappropriate clothes, akin to doll clothes, and manipulate the girls to act like their playthings. They control these 'dolls', directing their actions at will - Siegiel confessed.
In her previous testimonials, Siegiel described a disturbing incident where a younger captive appeared desperate, possibly facing a sexual assault that may have resulted in a pregnancy. However, when she attempted to comfort the girl, a militant intervened and stopped her from making contact.
Chen Golden Among, another survivor who was held captive with her three children, noted that some of the imprisoned girls in Gaza experienced significant hormonal disruptions, evident from the cessation of their menstrual cycles. Earlier this month, Agam Goldstein-Almog recounted an incident where she and her mother were moved to a tunnel where six other women were being held captive.
Several girls fell victim to severe sexual abuse. They suffered serious and complex injuries that weren't attended to - she reported.
Hamas militants' sexual violence isn't only confined to women; Aviva Siegiel, whose husband Keith remains captive by Hamas, provided a harrowing account of the torture she observed another hostage endure during her period of captivity:
Currently, someone is being violated in a tunnel in the Gaza Strip - this includes both women and men. Boys also face violence, mirroring the trauma experienced by the girls. They may not become pregnant, [but] they too become puppets on strings - she recounted.
According to several witnesses, including rescue workers, medics, and others, during the assault on southern Israel that commenced on October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out multiple incidents of sexual violence.
A force of thousands of Palestinian militants launched ground, sea, and air attacks, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals – mostly non-combatants, and taking 253 hostages to Gaza. Israel estimates there are still over 100 hostages held captive in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), based on recently acquired intelligence and evidence gathered by troops operating in Gaza, validated the demise of 28 hostages.
The Associated Press revealed a few days ago that U.S. negotiators are seeing progress toward a possible agreement. Under the proposed deal, Israel would cease military actions against Hamas in Gaza for two months in exchange for the release of over 100 hostages.
