Palestinian armed groups accused of war crimes
The recently released Human Rights Watch (HRW) report notes that during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Hamas’ military wing, the Ezedin al-Qassam Brigades, and other Palestinian armed groups committed numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to HRW, the Hamas-led assault was designed to kill civilians and take as many people as possible hostage.
Call for investigation by the International Criminal Court
HRW demands that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague investigate not only Hamas, but the rest of the factions involved in the attack. The report highlights that the assault targeted civilians, with deliberate murder of detainees, cruel and inhuman treatment, sexual and gender violence, hostage taking, mutilation and looting of bodies.
Attacks on civilians and hostage taking
The report highlights that 815 of the 1,195 people killed that day were civilians, and the majority of the 251 kidnapped were also civilians. It is mentioned that the attacks were not an afterthought, but were planned and highly coordinated, with evidence of the intentionality of the attacks and the taking of hostages.
Participation of other armed groups
In addition to Hamas, the report notes the participation of members of other Palestinian armed groups, such as Islamic Jihad, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Fatah party. It is emphasized that it was not Gaza civilians who carried out the worst abuses.
Crimes by Israel
The report also accuses Israel of committing crimes against humanity by carrying out collective punishment against the population of Gaza after the attacks. The cutting of essential services and the limitation of the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip are mentioned, which aggravates the impact of Israel’s illegal closure of Gaza.
Call to respect humanitarian law
HRW calls for respect for humanitarian law and demands that the Palestinian militias in Gaza immediately and unconditionally release the civilians they are holding hostage.
Request for arrest warrants
The ICC prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniye and Mohamed Deif.