Human Rights Watch Report: Hamas Committed War Crimes

Israeli soldiers walk past houses destroyed by Hamas militants in Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Human Rights Watch released a report Wednesday, July 17, 2024, saying Hamas-le

A recent report by a global human rights group has accused Hamas-led armed groups of committing war crimes during an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which sparked the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The report, released by Human Rights Watch, alleges that the Palestinian fighters engaged in acts that met the international legal definition for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The report highlighted that five different Palestinian armed groups, primarily led by Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, were involved in the attack. The groups were accused of killing approximately 1,200 people, kidnapping over 250 individuals, and committing various atrocities such as torture, taking hostages, looting, and engaging in sexual and gender-based violence.

While the report could not independently verify claims of sexual violence and rape, it referenced a separate report by a U.N. envoy that found “reasonable grounds” to believe that such acts had occurred during the attack. The 230-page report focused solely on the events of Oct. 7 and did not delve into the subsequent actions taken by Hamas or Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to the report, the militants' actions constituted a crime against humanity as they launched a widespread attack targeting civilian populations. The researchers from Human Rights Watch conducted extensive investigations, examining Palestinian attacks on 26 civilian sites in southern Israel and interviewing nearly 100 survivors, along with 50 experts and first responders.

Report alleges killing of 1,200 people and kidnapping over 250 individuals.

Hamas-led groups accused of war crimes in southern Israel attack.

Accusations include torture, looting, and sexual violence.

UN envoy report found 'reasonable grounds' for sexual violence claims.

Report focused on events of Oct. 7 and did not cover subsequent actions.

Militants' actions deemed a crime against humanity by Human Rights Watch.

Extensive investigations conducted on Palestinian attacks in southern Israel.

Majority of attackers were affiliated with armed groups, not random civilians.

Hamas denies targeting civilians, claims Qassam Brigades led the attack.

Human Rights Watch calls for release of hostages and adherence to international law.

The report disputed claims that the attackers were random civilians taking advantage of the situation, asserting that the majority of them were affiliated with armed groups and received orders from commanders. Hamas responded by stating that the Qassam Brigades planned and led the attack, not the Hamas political movement, and denied targeting civilians.

Human Rights Watch called on Hamas to release the hostages and bodies still held in Gaza and urged all parties to adhere to international law and seek a ceasefire. The organization has had a contentious relationship with Israel, accusing the country of violating international law in various instances, including a recent strike in Gaza that resulted in civilian casualties.

For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP News.