Residents in Gaza have alleged widespread sexual exploitation of women by members of Hamas, with claims that necessities such as food are being offered in exchange for sex. According to a report by the NY Post, citing testimonies, a pattern of abuse targeting women already facing severe hardship amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. According to multiple accounts, Hamas members are said to be targeting widows, recent divorcees, and young or single mothers, particularly those who approach them seeking help. The alleged method involves luring women with promises of aid, including essential food items like rice and sugar. A woman from the enclave told the Post that such practices are widespread within the group.
“It’s being done by all their employees and members, as though it’s an organization set up for sexual harassment, psychological abuse and harassing young women,” she told the outlet.
Hamas Targets Vulnerable Women, Coerce For Sex
Recounting one such instance, a woman said, “A guy will say, ‘Come, we have a relief package for you.’ He represents an Islamic organization, a movement whose name I won’t mention, but it is a political organization.”
She further described the coercion, adding, “‘If you come with me and do so and so, I’ll give you so and so.’ And the women, who have no life experience, end up getting exploited.”
Medicine For Sex: Hamas’ Exploitation Of Gaza Women
The allegations align with concerns raised during the peak of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis last year, when large segments of the population faced severe food shortages due to the ongoing war and aid restrictions imposed by Israel.
In one such case, which was earlier documented, a 38 year old mother of six who was approached by a man purportedly associated with an aid group, claimed that she had been forced into having sex with the man. In exchange, she was given $30, a box of medicine, food supplies and a promise of employment that never came to pass.
Such exploitation has been a threat in conflict zones where aid access is constrained and accountability mechanisms are ineffective, which humanitarian organisations have long been warning about. It is also a part of broader charges of sexual violence by the Israeli victims of kidnapping in the conflict.
Is Hamas Giving Up Arms?
Six months following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has signalled a possible change in attitude towards weapons. A report by The New York Times indicated that two Hamas officials claimed that the group could be ready to surrender thousands of automatic rifles and other weapons used by its police and its internal security forces. The report indicated that such weapons might be handed over to a Palestinian administrative committee that would be used to control Gaza under the supervision of an international body known as the Board of Peace which was led by Donald Trump as part of ceasefire-related agreement. But the proposal leaves short of full disarmament, a main Israeli demand and a major component of the peace deal suggested by Trump, which proposes the full demilitarisation of Gaza and a governmentless Hamas takeover of power.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
