Hamas hostage survivor shares story of sexual violence at UN

Israeli hostage survivor Aviva Siegel testified before the United Nations Committee Against Torture on Wednesday, recounting the sexual violence and other abuses she said she witnessed while being held by Hamas.

Siegel, who was held captive for 51 days, said she saw terrifying moments, including the abuse of a 16-year-old girl.

“The Hamas terrorist took her into the bathroom, told her to get undressed, came into the shower with her, and forced her to perform oral sex,” Siegel said.

“She had never shown anybody her body. The Hamas terrorist just stood there, stared at her, and smiled,” she added.

Siegel also described how the group starved her and other hostages by withholding adequate food and water, causing many to lose significant weight. She said she lost 10 kilograms during captivity.

“The hostages were losing weight, but the terrorists… they were eating in front of us and chewing all the time, while they didn’t give us anything to eat,” she said.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs later released a video of her testimony and underscored that the ceasefire deal calls for Hamas to lay down its arms, for Gaza to be demilitarized, and for the return of the remains of the four remaining hostages.