Women’s genitals ‘systemically mutilated’ in Hamas assault, says Israeli reservist who handled our bodies

A reservist who handled the aftermath of the Hamas terror assault says there was a “systematic genital mutilation” of girls as a number of victims had been shot within the crotch, breasts and head.

Warning – comprises graphic particulars of accidents

Shari Mendes was a part of an Israeli military reserve unit whose function was to establish and put together feminine troopers for burial.

She informed Sky’s Yalda Hakim she was on the Shura base on 8 October, the place victims had been introduced the day after the assault that killed greater than 1,200 folks.

“The halls were lined to the ceiling with body bags, the smell was unimaginable. I can’t tell you the shock and despair that struck all of us,” stated Ms Mendes.

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Her unit carried out a spiritual function, “accompanying” the feminine victims and getting ready them for burial in white linen.

“It was our job to honour them, they could have been our daughters – they were the same ages as our children… Just for a moment we loved them,” she informed Sky News.

Ms Mendes stated ladies got here in precisely dressed, some with bloody underwear, and their accidents had been one thing none of her staff was ready for.

“Women were shot many times in the face… Their mouths were in grimaces, their eyes were open, their fists were clenched,” she stated.

“They were shot so many times in the head, in many cases it was like there was purposeful obliteration of women’s faces.

“Our staff has seen ladies shot within the crotch, within the genitals. Women had been shot within the breast… Our staff noticed this.”

She added: “Women had legs lower off. It appeared like there was a scientific genital mutilation of girls within the ladies we noticed.”

Hamas has denied its fighters raped anyone during the attack, saying it would contradict Islamic teaching, but the UN has begun investigating the claims.

‘Booby-trapped bodies’

Ms Mendes said many victims were so badly damaged that she and her colleagues struggled to dress them for burial in the customary white linen.

She told Sky News: “One girl had her arm and her leg damaged in so many locations it was like dealing with marbles or sand, and at a sure level we stated we’d simply put a white sheet on prime of her.”

Witnesses and others who handled the assault, significantly the bloodbath on the Nova music competition, have additionally described horrible accidents to ladies and stated rape appeared to have been used as a tactic.

Ms Mendes additionally stated the bottom needed to be evacuated every now and then as a result of some victims arrived “booby trapped”.

She stated different ladies who might have been subjected to sexual violence through the assault could possibly be staying silent, frightened of not being believed.

“If these women are being questioned about the veracity of their claims, why should they come forward?” she stated.

“I think we have to be patient: they’re very traumatised… It may take time for these women to speak out, if they ever do.”

“It re-victimises the victim to not believe them.”