Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli lawyer Amit Soussana, who publicly described being sexually assaulted while held hostage in Gaza. The meeting took place on June 17, 2024. Soussana was abducted from her home during a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, and released during a ceasefire in November.

During an event focused on reducing conflict-related sexual violence globally, Harris highlighted Soussana’s ordeal and expressed concern that more such accounts might surface as hostages are released. Harris referenced accusations of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas during their October 7, 2024, attack. Hamas has denied these claims, but a UN report released in March 2024, found “reasonable grounds” to believe such acts occurred.

Harris emphasized the need for broader international efforts to combat and prevent sexual violence in conflict zones, mentioning various initiatives by the Biden administration aimed at supporting survivors and enforcing accountability.