Following the horrific massacre carried out on October 7th, 2023 by Hamas terrorists, investigators have recovered testimony, forensic evidence, and footage from terrorist cameras that provide irrevocable proof that on that day Hamas perpetrated the largest gender-based violence attack on Israeli soil. Carrying out the orders of their commanders, the terrorists committed brutal acts against innocent civilians, including women, children, infants, and the elderly.

These acts included not only murder but systematic and premeditated sodomy, rape, necrophilia, genital mutilation, beheadings, burning alive, and tearing a fetus from its mother's womb.
 

We are stunned by the lack of public outcry from global health organizations. Countless were sexually assaulted in a coordinated, conscious, and purposeful attack, yet there is no response from the institutions whose duty it is to protect them. When the moment came to stand on the side of humanity and condemn terror, these organizations chose to remain silent. The silence of global health leaders in the face of such mass atrocities is interpreted as legitimizing terror, gender-based violence, and crimes against humanity; but more importantly, these leaders are setting a terrifying precedent for women and children across the globe.

This is not a political issue. As women's health care providers, we are devastated by suffering and loss of life of all innocents, regardless of their race, creed, nationality, or religion. The survivors, victims, and hostages of the Hamas attack span all ages, genders, religions, regions, and politics. This is an attack on global humanity, and the silence of institutions across the world threatens to destroy their credibility, validity, and purpose.  Do not join them in this silence.  We urge you to choose the side of courage, leadership, and humanity.

We, the women's health organizations of Israel, demand that the WHO, UN, ICM, UNICEF, ICRC, and all other organizations who state as their mission to advance human rights, remember the solemn oath we took as healthcare providers: “Do no harm”.

Each day that passes exposes the hostages to further sexual abuse and trauma, increasing undue harm on innocent civilians (Appendix A and B).

We call for:

- The global health community to stand together in one clear voice, and publicly condemn Hamas and their horrific gender-based crimes of October 7th, 2023.
 

- All international health organizations to utilize all means necessary, including public condemnation of these atrocities, to ensure that every man, woman, and child is returned to their homes.
 

- International professional support of trauma informed care for survivors of barbaric gender-based violence.
 

Israeli Women’s Health Physical Therapy
Israel Neonatal society
Israel Psychiatric Association
Israel Association of Pediatric Pulmonology
Israeli Society of Pediatric Nephrology Association
Israel Geriatric Medicine Society
Israel Palliative Medicine Association
Israel Neurological Association
ISRA - Israel Radiological Association