Sexual Violence in the Israel-Hamas War: The Stories of Three Women in the Hands of Hamas by Neue Zürcher Zeitung

This article examines evidence of sexual violence during the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the captivity of female hostages in Gaza. Through careful analysis of witness accounts, official investigations, and available imagery, the article highlights the complexity of verifying such crimes.

The piece combines on-the-ground reporting with data-driven visual storytelling, including maps that provide geographical context to the events. Data visualizations show each woman who was killed or captured during the attack as a circle. Three of these women are highlighted in detail – one who was killed in the attack, one who was taken hostage and later freed, and one who was still in captivity at the time. Their stories are told through illustrated portaits that connect back to the broader data.

This work does not claim to have all the answers. Instead, it lays out what can be verified and where uncertainty remains. By placing individual experiences within a larger qualitative and quantitative analysis, the article aims to highlight the challenges faced by investigators in proving systematic sexual violence in conflict zones.