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Each year on June 19, the United Nations recognizes International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Disturbingly, for the third year in a row, conflict-related sexual violence has surged to record levels. The 2025 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence found that conflict-related sexual violence increased dramatically over the last year, with reported incidents more than doubling from 2024. Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel, over 150,000 Hadassah advocates from around the world have spoken out to demand that Hamas be held accountable for the conflict-related sexual violence that occurred on October 7 and against many of the hostages throughout their captivity.
Last August, the UN took a first step by listing Hamas as a party responsible for sexual violence in conflict in the 2024 Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. For the first time, the 2025 report lists both Hamas and Israel as parties credibly suspected of committing sexual violence. While Israel is listed in the report annex, other countries with similar incident reports were not included.
Israel does not engage with the United Nations Human Rights Council, which has repeatedly revealed its systemic anti-Israel bias, though Israel maintains a working relationship with the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten. Israel welcomed Patten to Israel, explored a return visit and called for her office to take the lead around investigating all reports of sexual violence in conflict in the region.
There is still much work to be done to hold Hamas accountable for the weaponization of gender-based violence. Hadassah advocates have continued to speak out and end the silence on sexual violence. Below is an update on their tireless work to secure justice for Hamas’ victims.
Fireside Chat With Hadassah’s Joyce Laiter and Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy
Hadassah Pacific Northwest co-hosted an important discussion on November 9, 2025, with Joyce Laiter, co-coordinator of Hadassah’s Member Outreach & Engagement Division, and Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, founder and chair of the Civil Commission on October 7 Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children (Civil Commission). Laiter and Dr. Elkayam-Levy discussed Hadassah’s End The Silence campaign, the Civil Commission’s extensive review of the evidence and its findings and next steps for the UN to hold Hamas accountable.
Laiter said: “Over the past two years, I have joined Hadassah’s UN team at events at the UN, where we have witnessed firsthand the rampant anti-Israel biases plaguing the UN and a path forward to justice for the victims of Hamas’ systematic weaponization of sexual violence. While these anti-Israel lies can be difficult to hear, it is critical we continue to speak out and demand justice for Hamas’ victims.”
Hadassah Responds to Civil Commission Report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
On May 12, 2026 the Civil Commission released a comprehensive report of the conflict-related sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 and beyond with the hostages during their captivity. The report provides a comprehensive source of record of Hamas’ weaponization of conflict-related sexual violence.
Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz shared her reaction to the report:
“When Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, they did the unthinkable. They systematically weaponized sexual violence against women, girls and men and the hostages they kidnapped and held captive. We are grateful to the Civil Commission and Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy for their monumental accomplishment in meticulously reviewing and recording the evidence of Hamas' crimes against humanity and advancing justice for the victims. It is critical that we demand the world’s leaders hold Hamas accountable — now, not at some indeterminate time in the future.”
Learn More: Hadassah’s updated End The Silence Fact Sheet collects and summarizes evidence from news outlets, investigative articles and other credible sources highlighting the systematic and brutal weaponization of sexual violence and rape by Hamas on October 7 and beyond. This fact sheet is meant to be a resource to fight misinformation and antisemitic biases.
What You Can Do
- [Share this article on social media, if we want to add in later?]
- Use Hadassah's End The Silence Fact Sheet to learn more and speak out!
- Watch the full fireside chat between Joyce Laiter and Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy
