Amit Soussana is the first former hostage to publicly say she was sexually abused in captivity. A U.N. report has said it found “clear and convincing information” that some hostages suffered “conflict-related sexual violence.”

Ms. Soussana, 40, is the first Israeli to speak publicly about being sexually assaulted during captivity after the Hamas-led raid on southern Israel. In her interviews with The Times, conducted mostly in English, she provided extensive details of sexual and other violence she suffered during a 55-day ordeal.

Ms. Soussana’s personal account of her experience in captivity is consistent with what she told two doctors and a social worker less than 24 hours after she was freed on Nov. 30. Their reports about her account state the nature of the sexual act; The Times agreed not to disclose the specifics.

. . .

For months, Hamas and its supporters have denied that its members sexually abused people in captivity or during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. This month, a United Nations report said that there was “clear and convincing information” that some hostages had suffered sexual violence and there were “reasonable grounds” to believe sexual violence occurred during the raid, while acknowledging the “challenges and limitations” of examining the issue.

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  • assassin_aragorn@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    8 months ago

    Yeah they do? It’s how governments and groups try to legitimize their occupation and claims. It’s how the USSR operated in Eastern Europe with Russification.

    That does not make it acceptable to kill the civilians. Russian citizens in Crimea are not enemy combatants. They can be evicted if they won’t peacefully integrate with the rightful owning country, but they shouldn’t be raped or killed.

    Note that this is very different from the Israeli settlers. They exist in a grey area because they are committing violence against the Palestinians there and generally being awful shitheads and active colonizers.

    • nac82@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      8 months ago

      Yea, if an invading force is slaughtering people to conquer your home, they are no longer just civilians. They are active combatants.

      • assassin_aragorn@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        8 months ago

        Do you not see any distinction between the actual military forces invading and slaughtering your people versus civilians who are living nearby?

        • nac82@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          8 months ago

          I’m stating the difference between an invader and a civilian distinctly.

          Your inability to address what I’ve said isn’t my problem.

          • assassin_aragorn@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            8 months ago

            You’re being clear as mud.

            Let me just ask unequivocally – do you think every Israeli person, regardless of where they live in the country, is an invader and a legitimate target?