GAZA — Ilana Gritzewsky testified at the UN Human Rights Council regarding her experience of sexual abuse during 55 days of captivity in Gaza. Gritzewsky was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.

During her testimony, Gritzewsky confronted UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women Reem Alsalem concerning Alsalem's response to allegations of abuse against Israelis. The organization UN Watch facilitated this confrontation. Discussions have since commenced between Gritzewsky and Alsalem's team to arrange for Alsalem to hear Gritzewsky's testimony.

Gritzewsky recounted the events of October 7, 2023, stating she heard sirens at 6 a.m. She and Matan Zangauker retreated to a safe room in their Kibbutz Nir Oz residence. When terrorists entered their home, they attempted to escape through a window.

Attackers pulled Gritzewsky from a closet by her hair. She was transported to Gaza on the back of a motorcycle. Gritzewsky stated that during transport, attackers pressed her leg against a motorcycle exhaust and placed a nylon bag over her face. She also stated that attackers broke her hip and dislocated her jaw.

Gritzewsky stated she begged attackers not to rape her and informed them she was on her period. She was held in a private home in Gaza for 10 days. Gritzewsky stated, "One [of the terrorists] was hugging me, kissing me, saying that I'm beautiful, that I'm going to marry him, this is my life now, that I'm going to have a child from him." She was later relocated to another house due to movements by the IDF and was interrogated about her time in the Israeli Defense Forces during her captivity. Gadi Weinstein, 73, and Judy Weinstein, 70, were killed and their bodies abducted to Gaza.

Gritzewsky stated, "I'm from a suburb where, on October 7, many people were killed. They lost their voices; they were murdered, and they no longer have a voice." She added, "We don't have to be ashamed of it; it's not our fault. We didn't do anything. We can stand with our hands up and say the truth because it's not our fault."