An extension to the Gaza ceasefire has failed because the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, suspected of raping and sexually abusing hostages in the October 7 attack, does not want women to testify, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, according to AFP.

A Hamas fighter in front of a tunnel in the Gaza StripPhoto: SOPA Images / Sipa Press / Profimedia

Israel has suspended its offensive on Gaza under a deal brokered by Qatar and the United States that included the release of hostages kidnapped by the Hamas group. Israeli authorities announced on Friday that they were resuming a military offensive after a seven-day hiatus because Hamas had not released all the hostages.

“It looks like one of the reasons they don’t want to release the women they’re holding hostage, and why this break (ceasefire) has been broken, is because they don’t want these women to tell what happened to them happened during their captivity, – said Matthew Miller, writes Agerpres with reference to AFP.

A US spokesman declined to provide further details, citing sensitivity, but said the US had “no reason to question” reports of sexual abuse by Hamas.

“I think there’s not much Hamas can do in terms of the treatment of civilians, especially the treatment of women,” he said.

“Over 1,500 shocking and disturbing testimonies”

Israeli police have announced that they are investigating possible sexual violence committed by Hamas militants on October 7, including gang rape or mutilation of corpses.

So far, Israeli investigators have collected “more than 1,500 shocking and disturbing testimonies,” a policewoman told the Israeli parliament last week. She talked about girls who were found without clothes and referred to testimony about the gang-rape, mutilation and murder of a young woman.

Hamas rejected these accusations, calling them “lies”.

According to Israeli authorities, on October 7, Hamas special forces killed 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians. In addition, 240 people were abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip, of which 137 remain hostages, according to the Israeli army.

In response, the Israeli army bombarded the Gaza Strip, which was halted for a week while the truce lasted, and according to the Hamas Health Ministry in Gaza, 15,899 people have been killed so far, 70% of them women. and minors.