NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized international human rights organizations, women’s groups, and the UN for their silence on the rapes and atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli women. In a post on his official X handle, Netanyahu called out these organizations, stating, “I say to the women’s rights organizations, to the human rights organizations: You’ve heard of the rape of Israeli women, horrible atrocities, sexual mutilation – where the hell are you?” He emphasized the need for civilized leaders, governments, and nations to speak up against these atrocities.

During a press conference in Tel Aviv with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz, Netanyahu recounted the meeting released hostages and the families of those still held, describing the meeting as hostile. He shared heartbreaking stories of abuse, including sexual abuse and cruel rape, expressing disappointment that women’s groups and human rights organizations remained silent.

President Joe Biden too strongly condemned the reported rapes and sexual violence against Israeli girls and women by Hamas militants after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Boston, Biden called on the world to condemn such conduct “without equivocation” and “without exception.” He expressed horror at the “appalling” accounts of unimaginable cruelty, including repeated rapes, mutilation of bodies, and the desecration of women’s corpses by Hamas terrorists. Israel is investigating several cases of sexual assault and rape from the Oct. 7 attack, with witnesses and medical experts reporting a series of rapes and other attacks before the victims were killed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the lack of international response, and a special event at the United Nations featured prominent figures condemning the global failure to support the affected women. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Rep. Pramila Jayapal also addressed the issue, with Jayapal clarifying her condemnation of Hamas’ use of rape and sexual violence as an act of war. Biden, referencing his work on the Violence Against Women Act, emphasized the collective responsibility of governments, international organizations, civil society, and businesses to condemn the sexual violence of Hamas terrorists unequivocally and without exception.

Netanyahu addressed the issue of Israel allowing additional humanitarian aid and fuel into Gaza, asserting that it does not contradict the war effort and ground operation. He highlighted the war effort as Israel’s main card for the return of hostages, with humanitarian aid supporting military operations. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant mentioned closing off essential supplies to Gaza and expressed a move toward severing Israeli government responsibility for the region. He emphasized the connection between the ground operation, humanitarian aid, and the pressure to bring home the hostages. Gallant also discussed the right to demand Hamas’s compliance with obligations in exchange for allowing fuel into Gaza.