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.

Archive

  • @[email protected]English
    -15•9 months ago

    NYT is such an serious outlet. They NEVER lied about things. They never lied about Gaddafi, Hussein, Assad, Putin, WMDs, war on terror, war on drugs, China, Venezuela, Nicarágua, México, Jamaica, Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Julian Assange, Snowden. Never!

      • @[email protected]English
        1•9 months ago

        I guarantee some of these deniers were saying “believe all women” or “believe all victims” before.

        • @PaddzrEnglish
          3•9 months ago

          Believe all unless they’re Israeli. As said by many comments here…

          If Gaza goes on a massive offensive and bombs the shit out of Israel, these people will celebrate it and claim they deserve it.

      • @[email protected]English
        -3•9 months ago

        We also don’t call Nazis victims when they face retaliation for their crimes against humanity either.

        • @assassin_aragornEnglish
          8•9 months ago

          We also generally don’t condone retaliation against civilians for the actions of the government. We didn’t punish all Germans for what the Nazis did. Let’s not punish civilians for what Israel’s doing.

          Otherwise? You’re closer to those Nazis than not.

            • @assassin_aragornEnglish
              3•9 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.

              • @[email protected]English
                -1•9 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_aragornEnglish
                  2•9 months ago

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

                  • @[email protected]English
                    -2•9 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.

            • BraveSirZaphod
              3•9 months ago

              If you believe that the murder of all Israelis is just, come out and actually say it. Don’t be shy now.

                • BraveSirZaphod
                  1•9 months ago

                  Oh, come on now. And what, exactly, do you want to happen the evil Zionists?

                  Sure, it’d be nice if there was a cute kumbaya moment, but absent that, if Israelis have no desire to leave, what do you want to happen to them?

                  • @[email protected]English
                    1•9 months ago

                    The implication of your proposition is that only genocide can decide this.

                    Your assumption is ludicrous and fascist. It says everything that needs to be said about your beliefs. By assuming only bloodshed is the solution, you remove the responsibility for you to face the genocide you are supporting.

                    I would have a criminal investigation and follow-up to this genocide similar to the Nuremberg Trials.

                    I want the people responsible locked up for life, and I want freedom for the people of Palestine.

                    So how about you? Can you honestly answer what exactly you want out of this?

                • @assassin_aragornEnglish
                  1•9 months ago

                  Is an Israeli child born in Tel Aviv a genocidal Nazi? Is it okay if they’re captured by Hamas?

                  I really hope your response is an unequivocal no. We don’t kill people for the sins of their fathers. We can expect them to make things right and work towards equity and peace, but they shouldn’t be punished.

                  Part of the issue with this conflict is how long Israel has now existed and is established. There are people who have nothing to do with the Zionists. They shouldn’t be punished for what the Zionists have done and are doing. There will never be peace if you continue to kill people for what their ancestors did.

                  • @[email protected]English
                    1•9 months ago

                    How many Israeli children starved to death yesterday?

                    Nazis had children too and didn’t justify the actions of the Nazis.

    • NoneOfUrBusiness
      -3•9 months ago

      Okay I see what you mean but while I’d like them to be lying as much as the next person this one is pretty damning.