Latest news with #Bar-IlanUniversity
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Israeli Report Accuses Hamas Of Sexual Violence, Seeks UN Action
Israeli researchers released a report on Tuesday detailing sexual assault allegations against Palestinian Hamas fighters who attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, and offering a "legal blueprint" for potential prosecutions. The Bar-Ilan University report cites at least 17 witnesses testifying to at least 15 separate cases of sexual assault, including gang rape and mutilation of sexual organs. It cites numerous instances of bodies found partially or fully naked, some handcuffed to poles or trees, and bodies with gunshots to the genitalia and other genital mutilation. Accounts of sexual assault committed by Hamas militants on October 7 have been documented widely. Several hostages released from Hamas captivity said they witnessed and experienced acts of assault, including forced penetration, by their captors. Hamas has consistently denied allegations of sexual assault. Hamas official Bassem Naim said the report was "not worth commenting" on. Reuters could not independently verify the evidence referenced in the report. The document, authored by three experts in law and gender, lays out a legal framework for prosecution of those responsible, even when "direct attribution to individuals is impossible." The report draws from forensic and visual evidence, witness testimony and audio recordings. In March, UN experts said in a report that Israel had used sexual violence as a war strategy in Gaza, allegations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected as biased and antisemitic. The authors of the Bar-Ilan University document presented the report to Israel's first lady Michal Herzog on Tuesday. They said they aimed to prompt domestic and international legal action by identifying legal doctrines that can be used to "unlock actual court cases" by showing how they fit into international mechanisms. "Our aim is to be able to convince the (United Nations) secretary-general to include Hamas in the blacklist of those entities of those countries ... that condone the use of sexual violence as a tool of war," Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, founding member of the university's Dinah Project, told Reuters. There was no immediate comment from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Bar-Ilan University report. A UN Commission of Inquiry into sexual assault on October 7 found that Israeli women were subjected "to gender-based violence such as physical, sexual and psychological violence, including threats of such acts, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty." The UN said Israeli officials refused to cooperate with its investigation and "that the information gathered by the mission team was in a large part sourced from Israeli national institutions." Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva said in April last year that victims of the October 7 attacks would never get justice from the UN commission and its members, adding that the commission had a track record of antisemitic, anti-Israel statements.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
How Hamas used sexual violence as weapon during October 7 attacks; new Israeli report reveals chilling details
A newly released report by a coalition of Israeli legal and gender experts has presented the most comprehensive evidence to date that Hamas used sexual violence as a deliberate weapon of war during its October 7, 2023, assault on Israel . The report, titled "A Quest for Justice," was unveiled on Tuesday and includes harrowing eyewitness accounts, forensic data, and previously unseen testimonies from freed hostages and first responders. The investigation, led by law professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari of Bar-Ilan University and supported by former senior legal officials, documents at least 17 separate incidents of sexual assault. The findings are based on interviews with 15 hostages who were released from Gaza, as well as additional evidence from survivors of the Nova music festival, one of the sites of the attacks. According to the report, 13 women and two men who survived captivity by Hamas described experiencing or witnessing sexual violence while being held hostage, including beatings, sexual assault at gunpoint, forced nudity, and threats of rape disguised as forced marriage. Many recounted being subjected to verbal sexual harassment, with some reporting repeated physical abuse and sexual humiliation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The report's authors concluded that sexual violence was not random but systematic and tactical, intended to terrorize and humiliate victims and communities. Forensic evidence, visual documentation, and autopsy reports corroborated these accounts, with investigators describing patterns of gang rape, mutilation, and public humiliation. The report also highlighted the immense challenges in gathering evidence due to the killing or traumatization of many victims, which has left investigators reliant on survivor and witness testimony, as well as physical evidence collected from the attack sites. The United Nations and other international bodies have previously expressed alarm over the accounts of gender-based atrocities during the October 7 attacks , with a U.N. Commission of Inquiry finding "reasonable grounds" to believe that Hamas committed rape and sexualized torture. The International Criminal Court has also cited these crimes in its pursuit of charges against Hamas leaders. Live Events Hamas has denied the allegations of sexual violence, but the new report urges a shift in how conflict-related sexual violence is prosecuted, calling for legal frameworks that do not rely solely on victim testimony , given the systematic silencing of victims through murder or trauma. The authors argue that the evidence demonstrates a clear pattern of sexual violence used as a weapon of war, and they call for international action to hold perpetrators accountable.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israeli report accuses Hamas of sexual violence, urges legal action
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox JERUSALEM - Israeli researchers released a report on Tuesday detailing sexual assault allegations against Palestinian Hamas fighters who attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, and offering a "legal blueprint" for potential prosecutions. The Bar-Ilan University report cites at least 17 witnesses testifying to at least 15 separate cases of sexual assault, including gang rape and mutilation of sexual organs. It cites numerous instances of bodies found partially or fully naked, some handcuffed to poles or trees, and bodies with gunshots to the genitalia and other genital mutilation. Accounts of sexual assault committed by Hamas militants on October 7 have been documented widely. Several hostages released from Hamas captivity said they witnessed and experienced acts of assault, including forced penetration, by their captors. Hamas has consistently denied allegations of sexual assault. Hamas official Bassem Naim said the report was "not worth commenting" on. Reuters could not independently verify the evidence referenced in the report. The document, authored by three experts in law and gender, lays out a legal framework for prosecution of those responsible, even when "direct attribution to individuals is impossible." The report draws from forensic and visual evidence, witness testimony and audio recordings. In March, UN experts said in a report that Israel had used sexual violence as a war strategy in Gaza, allegations Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected as biased and antisemitic. The authors of the Bar-Ilan University document presented the report to Israel's first lady Michal Herzog on Tuesday. They said they aimed to prompt domestic and international legal action by identifying legal doctrines that can be used to "unlock actual court cases" by showing how they fit into international mechanisms. "Our aim is to be able to convince the (United Nations) secretary-general to include Hamas in the blacklist of those entities of those countries ... that condone the use of sexual violence as a tool of war," Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, founding member of the university's Dinah Project, told Reuters. There was no immediate comment from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Bar-Ilan University report. A U.N. Commission of Inquiry into sexual assault on October 7 found that Israeli women were subjected "to gender-based violence such as physical, sexual and psychological violence, including threats of such acts, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty." The U.N. said Israeli officials refused to cooperate with its investigation and "that the information gathered by the mission team was in a large part sourced from Israeli national institutions." Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva said in April last year that victims of the October 7 attacks would never get justice from the UN commission and its members, adding that the commission had a track record of antisemitic, anti-Israel statements. REUTERS
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drinking water can protect the heart, and even reduce the risk of heart failure, says science!
A recent study by Bar-Ilan University reveals that staying hydrated significantly lowers the risk of hypertension and heart failure. Analyzing data from over 400,000 adults, researchers found that sodium levels within the high-normal range are linked to increased cardiovascular risks. Lead author Prof. Jonathan Rabinowitz emphasizes hydration as a crucial, often overlooked, factor in preventing chronic diseases. Do you drink adequate water every day? Well, if not, it's time to start building a habit of drinking water. Hydration is not only important for your skin but also for your heart. Yes, that's right, proper hydration has a significant impact on your heart health. A recent study found that staying well-hydrated may significantly reduce the risk of developing two leading chronic conditions: hypertension and heart failure. The groundbreaking study by researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that hydration has protective effects on the heart. The findings are published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology . Hydration and overall health Representative image. The human body comprises around 60% water. This is why staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Drinking eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule) is recommended generally. From improving brain function, to boosting digestive health and helping in weight management, hydration has several functions in the body. Hydration and heart health The researchers have now found the significant impact of water on heart health. Their study was based on data collected from more than 400,000 healthy adults over two decades. This challenges the long-held beliefs about what constitutes a safe sodium level in the blood. The researchers found that even high-normal sodium levels may signal elevated risk for hypertension and heart failure They found that people with higher sodium levels than the 'normal' range are significantly more likely to develop hypertension and heart failure, two of the most common age-related chronic diseases worldwide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2003-2023 of more than 407,000 healthy adults. It is one of the largest and longest-running analyses to date examining the link between hydration status and cardiovascular health. The findings They found that sodium levels of 140–142 mmol/L (still within normal range) were linked to a 13% higher risk of hypertension. When the level rose to above 143 mmol/L it was associated with a 29% higher risk of hypertension and 20% higher risk of heart failure. The study also revealed that nearly 60% of the healthy adult population had sodium levels in these risk-associated ranges. Sodium levels and hydration In standard blood tests, sodium is tested, and anything within the 135–146 mmol/L range is considered normal. However, this study challenged that assumption, suggesting a strong, long-term association between higher sodium levels and cardiovascular risk, even among those considered otherwise healthy. 'Our findings point to hydration as a critical and overlooked part of chronic disease prevention. A simple blood test might flag people who could benefit from basic lifestyle adjustments—like drinking more water, which reduces sodium levels,' lead author Prof. Jonathan Rabinowitz, from the Weisfeld School of Social Work at Bar-Ilan University, said. Shefali Jariwala's Heart-Stopping Final Hours Revealed I Pulse Was There But Eyes Never Opened! 'Hydration is often overlooked in chronic disease prevention. This study adds compelling evidence that staying well-hydrated may help reduce the long-term risk of serious conditions like hypertension and heart failure,' Rabinowitz added.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Benjamin Netanyahu is nominating Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu took a victory lap on Monday to hail their recent joint strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as an unmitigated success Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. The Prime Minister of Israel, 75, handed the US leader a letter during a three-hour meeting on Monday, which he claimed was the nominating he has sent the Nobel committee. Mr Netanyahu was full of praise for the US President, 79, as the duo lauded their recent joint strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. "He's forging peace as we speak, one country and one region after the other," Mr Netanyahu told reporters, following the meeting, which also involved top aides, at the White House. The politicians also discussed efforts to push forward with a 60-day ceasefire proposal to pause the 21-month conflict in Gaza. After he was handed the letter, Mr Trump told Mr Netanyahu: "Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful." The Israeli leader has for years pressed Mr Trump and his predecessors to take military action against Iran's nuclear programme. READ MORE: Texas Senator seen holidaying in Europe as flood death toll reaches 100 Mr Trump ordered US forces to drop "bunker-buster" bombs and fire a barrage of Tomahawk missiles on three key Iranian nuclear sites last month. It allowed Mr Netanyahu, who has been in charge of Israel since December 2022, to further ingratiate himself with Mr Trump, who for years has made little secret of the fact he covets a Nobel Peace Prize and sees himself as a capable peacemaker. Mr Trump, currently in his second spell as President, trumpeted recent truces his administration facilitated between India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and Israel and Iran. And the former businessman maintained similar confidence after yesterday's meeting. He told reporters: "I think things are going to be really settled down a lot in the Middle East. They respect us and they respect Israel... We have scheduled Iran talks, and they want to. They want to talk." Mr Netanyahu was also triumphant following his third visit to the White House this year. He too expressed optimism that his country's success in Iran would mark a new era in the Middle East. Yet Mr Trump, whose policies have largely aligned with Israel's own priorities, pledged last week to be "very firm" with Mr Netanyahu on ending the war, without saying what that would entail. Pressure by Mr Trump has worked on Mr Netanyahu in the past, with a ceasefire deal having been reached right as the president was taking office again. Mr Netanyahu has to balance the demands of his American ally with the far-right parties in his governing coalition, which hold the key to his political survival and oppose ending the war. Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israel affairs at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv, had said: "Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him, and if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war In Gaza, then that is what he will need to do."
