Lead

Former Gaza hostage Ilana Gritzewsky took the floor at the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday to confront UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women Reem Alsalem over what she said was the minimization of sexual violence used against victims on October 7, 2023. Gritzewsky, who was held captive for 55 days after being abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, directly questioned Alsalem's report: "Your report speaks about violence against women. Why is there no mention of Hamas?"

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post covered Gritzewsky's confrontation with Alsalem in two articles. The first report focuses on her appearance at the UN Human Rights Council, where she described being beaten by Hamas terrorists who stormed her kibbutz. It details her account of waking up "half naked with seven terrorists standing over me, not knowing what happened to me in those lost moments," and her accusation that Alsalem chose "silence and denial" regarding Jewish victims of sexual abuse.

A second Jerusalem Post report, published weeks later, provides a broader account of Gritzewsky's experience and her motivations. In that interview, Gritzewsky elaborated on her captivity, including a statement from one of her captors who told her she would marry him and have his children. She also spoke about the importance of sharing her story, saying she wanted to give strength to others who had experienced sexual assault but could not speak out.

Key Claims

  • Gritzewsky confronted Alsalem at the UN Human Rights Council and asked why the report did not mention Hamas.
  • She described waking up half naked with seven Hamas terrorists over her and said she went through days of pain and horror in captivity, returning with a broken hip, a broken jaw, and a "shattered soul."
  • Gritzewsky accused Alsalem of "silence and denial" regarding Jewish victims of sexual abuse.
  • She stated, "I am the living proof of sexual violence by Hamas. When I and other Israeli women begged not to be raped, why were you silent?"
  • She was held for 55 days after being abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.
  • Her partner, Matan Zangauker, was released after 738 days of captivity.
  • During her captivity, a Hamas terrorist told her she would marry him and have his children.
  • In a prior UN Security Council visit in August 2025, Gritzewsky recounted that she lost consciousness on the way to Gaza when her captors began to sexually abuse her, and she woke up naked on rocks. She told them she was on her period to prevent assault, and they threw a hijab at her.

Perspectives

Ilana Gritzewsky

Gritzewsky, a survivor of Hamas captivity, says she was sexually abused and physically harmed during her captivity and believes the UN Special Rapporteur's report omitted the Israeli victims of Hamas's sexual violence, accusing her of "silence and denial." She shares her story to give a voice to those who were murdered or cannot speak out, emphasizing that victims should not be ashamed.

Reem Alsalem (as described)

Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, is reported to have denied that mass rape occurred during the October 7 massacre. Her report did not mention Hamas, which is the basis of Gritzewsky's confrontation.

The UN Special Representative's report

A 2024 report by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict found evidence of Hamas's sexual violence, according to one of the articles. This contrasts with Alsalem's denial and indicates a disagreement within UN bodies over the findings.