What it’s about
A male survivor of the horrific Hamas attack at the Supernova music festival on October 7 has publicly recounted the sexual assault he faced, marking the first instance of a man coming forward with such a testimony. The survivor revealed his ordeal in comments to Channel 12 news, shedding light on the terror and violence endured by victims.
Why it matters
This eyewitness account amplifies the growing evidence that Hamas terrorists engaged in widespread sexual assaults during their heinous attack on Israel. Confirmations from survivors like Dalet strengthen the narrative against skeptics who doubted the allegations of sexual violence.
Driving the news
The assault occurred as Dalet, along with hundreds of others, attempted to flee from terrorists attacking the festival near Kibbutz Re’im. Captured by Hamas’s elite Nukhba unit, he was subjected to horrific abuse. “They pin you to the ground, you try to resist, they take off your clothes, laugh at you, humiliate you, spit at you,” he recounted. “They touched private parts, they rape you.”
Details
Dalet provided a vivid account of his trauma, explaining the humiliation and brutality he endured, inflicted by intoxicated terrorists. He described how the attackers celebrated and laughed as they carried out their heinous acts. After surviving this appalling ordeal, Dalet finally managed to escape with the help of Israeli forces.
What they’re saying
Dalet confessed to struggling with the aftermath of the attack, reporting an obsessive compulsion for cleanliness to cope with the trauma. Dalet’s testimony has been provided to Israeli police who are investigating sexual crimes committed during the October 7 assault. Despite ongoing denial and doubt from critics, Dalet has furnished medical opinions and has undergone polygraph tests to confirm his account.
Supporting facts
His testimony is part of a significant lawsuit by over 100 Supernova festival survivors, seeking more than NIS 500 million (USD $137 million) in aid from the State of Israel. Legal representatives emphasize the enduring difficulties survivors like Dalet face in returning to normal life.
The bigger picture
Numerous survivor testimonies, physical evidence, and captured terrorist confessions have supported the claims of sexual violence. An earlier report by the United Nations Secretary-General substantiated claims of conflict-related sexual violence during the October 7 attacks, noting credible instances of rape and gang rape.
What’s next
A documentary titled “Screams Before Silence,” directed by former Meta CEO Sheryl Sandberg, has further highlighted these atrocities. Amidst the unfolding situation, Israeli forces continue efforts to rescue hostages and address the widespread violence inflicted by Hamas terrorists.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.