U.S. President Joe Biden stated that everyone must strongly condemn the allegations that the Palestinian armed group Hamas committed indiscriminate sexual crimes during its surprise attack on Israel.
According to a White House joint press corps report on the 5th (local time), President Biden, while visiting Massachusetts where a fundraising event for next year's presidential election was held, criticized, "Hamas terrorists inflicted the utmost pain on women and girls."
President Biden continued, "The world cannot look away from what is happening now," emphasizing, "We all must strongly and unequivocally condemn the sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists."
He then pointed out, "Let's be clear on this: the agreement broke down and the ceasefire ended because Hamas refused to release the remaining young women among the hostages."
Furthermore, President Biden said, "(Hamas) must immediately return all those still held hostage by Hamas to their families," adding, "We will not stop."
The Israeli government and civil society have claimed that Hamas committed war crimes, including sexual violence, during its surprise attack on Israel on October 7. The Israeli side has compiled over 1,500 pieces of evidence, including witness and medical personnel testimonies and autopsy results.
On the other hand, Hamas denies the allegations, stating that the brutal acts such as sexual crimes claimed by Israel were committed by other armed groups that infiltrated after Hamas's attack.
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