ISRAEL
Independent international investigation into the sexuel crimes of October 7, 2023
CONTEXT
On October 7, 2023, members of Hamas and other factions launched coordinated attacks against Israel from land, sea, and air. More than twenty civilian communities—including kibbutzim, a music festival, and military bases located in southern Israel near Gaza—were primarily targeted. In total, nearly 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers were killed, hundreds of homes were looted and set on fire, and more than 230 women, men, and children were kidnapped.
Soon after, numerous allegations surfaced regarding gender-based and sexual violence, not as isolated incidents, but as part of the broader attack: allegations of rape and genital mutilation inflicted on the bodies of women and men.
Many videos and photos testify to these acts. For example, a video showing the naked, disarticulated body of young German-Israeli Shani Louk paraded through Gaza was broadcast early in the attack, which constitutes a characteristic act of sexual violence under the Statute of the International Criminal Court and international criminal law. Hundreds of photos and videos showing signs of sexual crimes circulated, depicting, for instance, women who were kidnapped with clothing stained in the crotch area. At least seven locations were reported to have been the sites of gender-based and sexual violence.
© WWoW - Kibboutz Nir Oz
In December 2023, WWoW, Céline Bardet traveled to Israel and visited various massacre sites, including Sderot and the Niroz Kibbutz. She also met with survivors, feminist organizations, members and the president of the civilian commission on the October 7 massacres, as well as some investigators. During this first trip, WWoW was able to assess the extent of the crimes committed, as well as the necessary requirements for an independent investigation.
THE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT, THOROUGH, AND WELL-SUBSTANTIATED INVESTIGATION
The events of October 7, 2023, by their nature, severity, and scale, may constitute international crimes under international criminal law. In particular, sexual crimes are explicitly included in the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as acts constituting crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.
These events occur in a politically sensitive context, which is the subject of an almost inaudible public debate, during which the gravity of the crimes committed on October 7 is regularly called into question. The NGO WWoW has notably been violently attacked for denouncing these sexual crimes as early as October 7, 2023.
In order to respond in a factual and objective manner, and thus ensure that sexual crimes, in particular, can be established based on irrefutable evidence, it is urgent and essential to conduct an independent investigation and documentation work, adhering to the highest standards of international criminal justice.
© WWoW - Kibboutz Nir Oz
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
Documenting the sexual crimes committed on October 7, 2023, in order to irrefutably establish the facts, their nature, scope, and modus operandi, notably to combat all denial narratives.
Analyzing the elements of premeditation and coordination of the sexual crimes committed, placing them within the broader context of the attacks.
Identifying the perpetrators of these crimes, whether they are direct perpetrators, instigators, or accomplices, and establishing the chain of responsibility; and providing an initial legal characterization of the facts in light of international criminal law.
Raising international public awareness through work presented in several forms: criminal investigation dossier to inform national and international jurisdictions, a public website presenting the conclusions, partnerships with written and audiovisual international media, documentaries, and television reports on the work.
This work will be carried out in phases over a period of 6 to 8 months, which has already begun. It involves a team of investigators, international lawyers, and experts.
The budget to be funded is €150,000. It mainly covers:
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Travel and accommodation expenses for the team: €30,000
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Tools for gathering evidence and testimonies: €30,000
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Team costs and expertise: €80,000
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Materials and communication plan: €10,000
This investigation will be conducted in accordance with the highest standards of independent investigation, particularly in line with international guidelines regarding the collection and admissibility of evidence.
This initial work aims to establish a standard model for independent sexual crime investigations by an NGO. The goal is to create a rapid, responsive system, especially to address the increasingly chronic ineffectiveness of multilateral organizations. This methodological model is intended to be replicated in other geographical areas, including Palestinian territories, Tigray, Sudan, northern Nigeria, Libya, and many others.