1 hour ago
By David Gritten, BBC News
Human Rights Watch has accused Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during an attack on southern Israel on 7 October. The report alleges that these groups targeted civilians, conducted deliberate and indiscriminate attacks, killed persons in custody, engaged in sexual violence, hostage-taking, mutilation of bodies, and looting.
According to the report, the killing of civilians and hostage-taking were primary objectives of the attack and not secondary actions. Hamas has denied these claims and demanded an apology.
The report states that over 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, mostly civilians, were killed, and 251 were taken as hostages during the attack. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas and free the hostages.
The report does not cover violations by Israeli forces or Palestinian groups during the conflict that followed the 7 October attack. It is based on interviews with witnesses and analysis of social media content.
The report concludes that the Palestinian groups carried out a systematic attack against civilians, amounting to a crime against humanity. It calls for further investigation into potential crimes such as persecution, rape, and extermination.
Hamas has rejected the allegations, claiming it adheres to international law. The report disputes this, citing evidence of Hamas militants targeting civilians from the beginning of the attack.
In response to the report, Hamas has called for its withdrawal and an apology, accusing HRW of bias. The group also accuses Israel of war crimes, including targeting civilians and causing food shortages in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court has sought arrest warrants for leaders of both Hamas and Israel for crimes committed during and after the 7 October attack.
Tanto Hamas como Israel reaccionaron con indignación ante el anuncio.