Israeli authorities and the United Nations are investigating reports of rape and sexual violence allegedly carried out by Hamas on October 7th against Israeli citizens, including girls, women, and some men. There are also allegations of ongoing sexual violence against hostages who are still being held captive in Gaza.
Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the United States government, has consistently denied these accusations. However, mounting evidence has led to increased attention on the issue. Former COO of MEDA, Sheryl Sandberg, has been vocal about condemning the sexual violence and has called out the relative silence by the United Nations.
Sandberg is now working on a documentary film aimed at bringing more attention to the issue. In an exclusive interview clip shown, 18-year-old Agam Goldstein Al-Moog, one of the freed hostages, shared her disturbing account of sexual violence. She described her abduction, being held captive alone, and enduring repeated sexual assault at gunpoint for 30 minutes. The footage serves as a stark reminder of the horrors that many hostages have experienced and brings attention to the need for accountability for the perpetrators.
Sandberg explained her motivation for making the documentary, highlighting the importance of not tolerating sexual violence under any circumstances. She expressed her frustration at the international community's silence on the matter, attributing it to the polarized nature of the October 7th attack. Sandberg emphasized that regardless of political opinions, sexual violence should never be tolerated.
When asked about her interactions with survivors, Sandberg emphasized their strength and resilience. She described how the survivors aim to raise awareness in hopes of getting the remaining hostages released and holding those responsible for the violence accountable.
Sandberg expressed deep concern for the wellbeing of the other young women still held captive in Gaza. She noted that evidence suggests sexual violence has occurred systematically in captivity. Hamas has denied these allegations, but Sandberg pointed to first responders and documentary footage as evidence of the atrocities.
The release of the documentary is scheduled for April, and it aims to shed light on the systematic sexual violence that occurred during the October 7th attack and raise awareness about the issue more broadly. Sandberg emphasized that sexual violence is never acceptable and must be addressed and condemned by society.
The documentary seeks to challenge the denial of the sexual violence, showcasing firsthand accounts and evidence to ensure that the crimes perpetrated against women and men are acknowledged and addressed.
