Harris to shine light on horrific sexual violence perpetrated during Hamas’ October attack

Washington CNN —

Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to host a White House event focused in part on the Israel-Hamas war on Monday as part of an effort to highlight conflict-related sexual violence and amid fraught negotiations to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Harris has forcefully spoken about the situation unfolding in Gaza – notably, in remarks in Selma, Alabama, this year – and acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the humanitarian crisis in the region.

But Monday’s event also comes as the administration has publicly placed enormous pressure on Hamas to accept a hostage and ceasefire proposal and heightened its rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war. Planning for the event had been underway for months, according to a source familiar.

Harris will deliver remarks at the White House on conflict-related sexual violence, followed by a panel discussion of survivors and experts from around the world, and a partial screening of documentary film, “Screams Before Silence,” on Hamas’ sexual violence on October 7, according to a White House official. Sheryl Sandberg, who led the film,will deliver remarks before the screening.

“The Vice President spent her career as a prosecutor working to protect women and girls from violence, and as Vice President, she has continued this leadership globally. The Vice President has worked to ensure that conflict-related sexual violence – and a focus on the status of women and girls – remains at the forefront of our national security policymaking,” a White House official said, citing multiple measures the administration has taken to tackle gender-based violence.

Earlier this year,the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel published a report that found Israeli