In his report, Guterres referenced Patten’s assessment, but noted that it, “not being investigative in nature and given its limited duration, did not draw conclusions on attribution to specific armed groups or determine prevalence of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence during and after the attacks of 7 October. Such a determination would require a fully-fledged investigation.”
The Ynet outlet, in an unsourced report, said Israeli representatives spoke with UN officials about Hamas not being blacklisted and were told that there is a process to include an organization in the roster that involves identifying a trend and then specific cases. UN officials also pointed out that there has not yet been a full investigation of the October 7 attacks and asserted that it was not possible to determine if Hamas planned sexual crimes as part of its attack, or if they were carried out spontaneously by individuals, including Gazans who entered Israel while trailing the attacking terrorists.
Indeed, but without investigations it is too early to say that it was a lie or if was the truth. Instead of labeling hastily one side allegation as lie, it has to be investigated, and proved as such.
Don’t mistake it as defending one side or the other, both side are different faces of a similar evil, but polarizing the debate in such way will just make it harder for moderates and peace advocate to be heard.
It is not true until it is proven otherwise.
If someone calls you a rapist without evidence this does not become a magical limbo scenario. Especially after 6 months without evidence.
Unfortunately rapes are hard to prove. DNA traces and bruises are quick to disappear, and as such samples have to be taken quickly.
That’s why most cases of rapes are mainly based on victims testimonials, a requires extensive investigation to be proved as plausible enough to warrant a trial.
In the current case both side refuse to let third party investigate such allegation, and this should raise suspicion for both sides. But both have plausible excuses for such refusal. Hamas don’t want strangers to know where hostages are held, and Israel may want to protect the alleged victims from the media pressure.
Israel claimed to have forensic and video evidence which they lied about.
Your accusation is entirely wrong as Hamas did not object to a third party investigation of fake israeli rape claims. UN Investigations into forensic evidence of what happened on Oct7 were single-handedly blocked by israel and israel only.
I’m not sure why you are bringing up any hostages as they are not the ones making accusations and we know that not a single hostage that has been released has been raped.
It’s interesting how this magically becomes a “both sides thing”. This is an israel thing.