HerStory: deafening silence on 7 October sexual attacks

Trigger warning: piece contains graphic scenes of sexual violence

“You wouldn’t come out unscathed, or alive, if you went to Gaza dressed like that.”

This comment was made to me during my trip to Israel earlier this year as part of an educational programme for student leaders on the Israel-Palestine conflict. I was wearing shorts and a crop top – ordinary clothing in my world, especially in the Middle Eastern heat. But the comment unsettled me. It wasn’t just about the judgement of my clothing, considering the cultural context of Gaza, where modest dress is often emphasised due to religious and societal norms. I respect that, but what shocked me was the response. It didn’t make sense why my way of dressing could justify such violence. The comment sparked a deeper curiosity. What are the lived experiences of women in both Israel and Palestine, where violence from the ongoing conflict is an ever-present reality?

During the trip, I found myself increasingly drawn to the untold stories of women on both sides of the conflict. That comment forced me to confront a chilling truth: the violence women endure in conflict zones isn’t just collateral, it’s systemic, deliberate, and largely ignored. This realisation shifted my focus from the question of political sovereignty to the untold stories of women in conflict, especially the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, exemplified by the horrific events of 7 October 2023.

What happened on 7 October 2023? In the early hours of 7/10 (as the massacre has become known), Hamas, a militant Palestinian group that controls Gaza, launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing rockets and infiltrating border towns. Civilians in their homes were brutally killed, and many were taken hostage. At the Nova festival, a gathering meant for joy and celebration turned into a massacre as hundreds were murdered or injured. Those who were spared were abducted as hostages and taken to Gaza. The scale of the violence was shocking, targeting innocent lives with deliberate cruelty. In response, Israel declared war, initiating military strikes on Gaza that left countless civilians caught in the crossfire.

This is the history often presented by the media and political actors, but what about “HerStory”?

This untold narrative of 7 October reveals the atrocious, deliberate, and systematic use of violence against women. Although they may not live to tell their stories, their bodies carry the scars of war. They endured rape, mutilation, and the most brutal forms of physical assault. The women of 7 October were found naked, some with broken pelvises, and others with physical objects forcibly inserted inside their genitals. They were raped even in death. They were found hanging on trees with their legs spread open to publicly humiliate them and instil terror in those who would find them.

Ironically, these actions were committed by men whose religious doctrine emphasises the covering of women’s bodies for sanctity and protection. They intentionally betrayed their own principles to dehumanise, brutalise, and break the spirit of those women and their community. It was an attack on dignity, a deliberate message of domination and humiliation.

This tactic of war is nothing new. We have seen the weaponisation of women’s bodies in Rwanda, Syria, and many other war zones in the world.

And the world was silent. The brutality was overshadowed by political debates, military responses, and broader geopolitical concerns. There was no sense of urgency whatsoever. It was only in March, five months later, that the United Nations released a statement acknowledging these acts of violence. Despite there being evidence and a record of these violations by people on social media platforms, several media houses minimised the issue as propaganda or employed “whataboutism”, a rhetorical tactic that deflects criticism by pointing to the perceived wrongdoing of others rather than addressing the issue at hand.

In this context, when attacks of sexual violence were reported, some individuals and commentators redirected the conversation: what about the violence inflicted on Palestinians? While it’s essential to consider the historical context of the conflict, such deflections lead to a cycle of blame that obscures the need for accountability. This also diminishes the urgency of gender-based violence, and can minimise the experience of victims by suggesting that the violent experiences of Israeli women are less significant. These issues shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. One can stand in solidarity with Palestine’s pursuit of freedom and security while also unequivocally denouncing the atrocities of 7 October.

As we end South Africa’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in December, we must remember the women whose suffering has been ignored, whether in conflict zones or at home. The fight for gender-based justice cannot be postponed. It must be fought every day, everywhere, and for every woman. We must hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure that the outrage against gender-based violence isn’t selective. It must extend to all women, no matter their background or circumstance. Women in Israel, Palestine, or anywhere else shouldn’t be reduced to tools of war. Their stories demand to be heard, and their suffering must compel action.

Let’s remember the women of 7 October not as nameless victims, but as a powerful symbol of the work that remains. “HerStory” mustn’t be forgotten.

• Blessing Mathabela is a gender justice advocate and a third-year Bachelor of Education student at Wits. She has held leadership roles as deputy chairperson of the School of Education, and as secretary to the All Residences Sub-Council. She has also volunteered at the Gender Equity Office. A dedicated feminist, Blessing is driven by her mission to empower others and advocate for social change.