A former Hamas hostage confronted a U.N. expert on Tuesday at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, accusing her of denying that sexual violence occurred during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
Ilana Gritzewsky, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz and held for 55 days, addressed Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem following the presentation of Alsalem’s latest report. The report accuses Israel of “genocide” and refers to the war in Gaza as following the Oct. 7 massacre in southern Israel, without detailing the Hamas-led assault.
“On Oct. 7 and in captivity, Jewish women were raped, abused and humiliated,” said Gritzewsky. “And you, special rapporteur, you choose silence and denial. Ms. Ansalem, you say there was no evidence of sexual violence on Oct. 7. I’m standing here today, not as a report, not as a statistic. I am a woman who survived. I am the living proof of sexual violence by Hamas. When I and other Israeli women begged not to be raped, why were you silent? Please look at me. Do you believe us now? Will you apologize?”
BREAKING: Ilana Gritzewsky, who was held hostage by Hamas, just took the floor at the United Nations to confront Reem Alsalem, the UN rapporteur on violence against Israel women. Her dramatic testimony:
— UN Watch (@UNWatch) June 23, 2026
Special Rapporteur, your report speaks about violence against women. Why is… pic.twitter.com/463EKTxU22
