First Lady Michal Herzog has welcomed the United Nations' decision to officially blacklist Hamas for committing sexual crimes during violent conflicts. Herzog, who has actively raised awareness about these issues since October, emphasized that evidence of Hamas's systematic use of sexual violence has been clear for months. She referenced a report by the United Nations special representative on sexual violence in conflict, which documented deliberate and premeditated acts such as rape, gang rape, and sexual abuse in captivity by Hamas. Herzog stressed that these acts are not incidental but are used as intentional tools of terror. The United Nations Secretary-General recently placed Hamas on the blacklist for the first time, while also cautioning that Israel could be added if allegations against its forces are confirmed.