UN experts today called for accountability for sexual violence against Israeli civilians during Hamas attacks on October 7. saying that mounting evidence of rape and genital mutilation points to potential crimes against humanity.

The Israeli authorities opened an investigation for possible sex crimes committed during the deadliest attack on Israel in the country’s history. Hamas denies any abuse.

“The growing body of evidence of alleged sexual violence is particularly distressing“, two independent experts appointed by the UN said in their announcement today. Their statement related to allegations of sexual torture, including rape, gang-rape, and genital mutilation and shooting.

“These acts constitute violations of international law, amount to war crimes which, given the number of victims and the extensive premeditation and planning of the attacks, may also be defined as crimes against humanity,” the experts said.

“Every single victim deserves recognition, regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender, and our role is to be their voice,” the two experts added.

Israel has previously criticized the world body for not doing enough to address the issue as part of the push for wider recognition of the alleged crimes.

The two experts on torture and executions — Alice Jill Edwards and Maurice Tidbal-Beeds — have raised the issue with Hamas authorities, according to their statement. They have also sent a letter to the Israeli government asking for cooperation with their investigators.