Hamas says rape allegations of Israel aim to tarnish group’s ‘humane treatment of hostages’

ISTANBUL (AA) – Hamas on Monday dismissed Israeli rape accusations against its fighters as a “desperate attempt” to distort the group’s humane treatment of Israeli prisoners.

“We reject the Israeli lies about raping, which aim to distort the resistance and tarnish our humane and moral treatment of captives,” Hamas said in a statement.

The statement was issued following Israeli accusations against Hamas fighters of rape and sexual violence against Israelis during the Oct. 7 attack.

Hamas released 110 prisoners held by the group during its cross-border attack, including 86 Israelis, during a week-long pause in Israel’s war against people of Gaza. It is believed that 136 people are still held by the group.

Footage released by the Palestinian group showed some prisoners saluting Hamas fighters as they were set free from captivity.

Hamas called on all media outlets “to remain vigilant not to fall into the trap of Israel’s lies and its tendentious propaganda, and to verify every information, to protect the truth and preserve the sanctity of the media message.”

Israel resumed its military offensive on the Gaza Strip on Friday.

Israel has killed at least 15,899 Palestinians in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.