The report “Citizens’ Commission on Hamas’ Crimes Against Women and Children of October 7” states that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) was used “deliberately and systematically” during the October 7 attacks and subsequent hostage-taking.
Through houses, streets, festival grounds
The report claims the abuse took place in residential buildings, public roads, military bases and the Nova Music Festival site and surrounding areas.
Based on a two-year investigation based on survivor testimony, video footage, photographs and expert analysis, the Commission concluded that the violence was “patterned, multi-sited and organized”.
Allegations of sexual torture and killing
The findings describe extreme acts of violence, including alleged rape, gang rape, mutilation, burning, forced restraints, genital violence and executions linked to sexual assault.
The report also stated that victims were often found handcuffed or shackled and in some cases killed in the presence of family members. They further claim that both men and women were subjected to prolonged sexualized torture during captivity.
13 patterns of abuse were found: From forced nudity to posthumous violence
The commission identifies 13 recurring patterns of alleged abuse, including sexual assault, forced nudity, abduction of mothers and children, sexual violence in front of relatives, killings linked to sexual assault, and posthumous desecration.
It also draws attention to alleged violence against men and boys, as well as threats of forced marriage and public humiliation.
“Cinocidal” violence
One of the most striking claims in the report is what it calls “kinocide sexual violence” – allegations that family relationships were deliberately abused during the attacks.
According to the Commission, some victims were sexually assaulted in front of relatives, while others were allegedly forced into humiliating or abusive acts involving family members, which exacerbated the psychological trauma and terror.
Live violence
The report claims the perpetrators recorded and distributed acts of violence through social media and messaging platforms, including assaults, killings and kidnappings.
They argue that this “weaponization of visibility” has turned violence into psychological warfare, with families in some cases learning about victims through circulated videos or images. The commission also reports that hostage abuse continued to be filmed during captivity.
The hostage-taking spread the abuse
In addition to the initial attacks, the report alleges that sexual violence continued during the hostage-taking for a long period of time.
Videos and testimonies cited in the report describe how the hostages were allegedly humiliated, threatened and abused on camera, with some incidents reportedly continuing months after October 7.
