Table of Contents
Hamas and Palestinian Armed Groups Commit War Crimes
Amnesty International has condemned Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups for flagrantly violating international law and displaying a chilling disregard for human life. These groups have been accused of committing cruel and brutal crimes, including mass summary killings, hostage-taking, and indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel. The evidence, which is still emerging, paints a horrifying picture of the atrocities that have occurred in southern Israel.
A Cycle of Violence
According to Amnesty International, the attacks began on October 7th and have resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel, with the majority being civilians, including children. Additionally, more than 2,400 people have been injured. In Gaza, at least 1,200 people, including children, have been killed as a result of Israeli military retaliation.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the intensified blockade that has completely disconnected essential supplies such as water, electricity, food, and fuel to Gaza. Amnesty International considers this blockade to be a war crime, as it amounts to collective punishment.
A Call for Accountability
Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, has emphasized that massacring civilians is a war crime and that there can be no justification for the reprehensible attacks carried out by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups. Callamard calls for an immediate release of all civilians who have been abducted, including children, and demands that these crimes be thoroughly investigated by the International Criminal Court.
Acknowledging Israel‘s Responsibility
While Amnesty International acknowledges Israel‘s well-documented record of war crimes, the organization does not absolve Hamas and Palestinian armed groups from their obligations under international law. It is crucial for all parties involved to respect fundamental principles of humanity and protect civilians.
The Horrors Unleashed by Hamas and Palestinian Armed Groups
Deliberate Targeting of Civilians
Video footage analyzed by Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab has revealed the deliberate shooting of civilians by Palestinian fighters on the initial day of the attacks. Civilians were also taken as hostages, with one incident at the Nova Music festival resulting in the deaths of at least 260 civilians. An analysis of the videos verified by Amnesty International shows armed men shooting at civilians, dragging people away as hostages, and parading a woman through central Gaza.
The Urgent Need for Release
Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of all abducted civilians, including children, emphasizing that the abduction of civilians is prohibited by international law and constitutes a war crime. Those held captive must be treated humanely, granted medical treatment, and released unconditionally.
The Unimaginable Horror
Survivors of the attacks have recounted the horrors they witnessed. One survivor described hearing and smelling burning as armed men threw fuel to burn the area. Another survivor, whose daughter was taken hostage, expressed the anguish of not knowing her whereabouts and the nightmare of seeing her in a video being taken into the Gaza Strip.
The Plea for Action
Amnesty International calls on the international community to protect the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis, ensuring justice and reparation for the victims. Israeli authorities and Palestinian armed groups are urged to strictly abide by international humanitarian law, placing humanity at the forefront of their conduct. The organization also implores all Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to release all civilian hostages immediately and unconditionally.
The International Criminal Court’s Mandate
An Investigation into War Crimes
The International Criminal Court has opened an investigation into the situation in the State of Palestine, which includes crimes under international law committed by all parties involved in the current conflict. Amnesty International calls on the ICC prosecutor to expedite progress in the investigation and include the recent crimes committed by all parties.
The Broader Context
It is crucial to view the latest attacks in Israel within the wider context of the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Amnesty International reiterates that nothing can justify war crimes and underscores the urgent need to address the root causes of violence, including the dismantling of Israel‘s system of apartheid against Palestinians and the lifting of the illegal blockade on Gaza.
Legal Framework and Background
International Humanitarian Law and War Crimes
The fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups is governed by the rules of international humanitarian law. These rules prohibit direct attacks on civilians, murder, hostage-taking, and indiscriminate attacks. Parties to the conflict are obligated to protect civilians, minimize harm, and refrain from unlawful attacks or collective punishment.
A History of Violence
The current conflict is the sixth major military operation involving Israel and Gaza-based armed groups since Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007. Amnesty International has previously investigated and reported on Israeli forces’ unlawful destruction of Palestinian homes and the commission of acts prohibited by international law, including crimes against humanity, such as apartheid.
Amnesty International remains committed to monitoring the activities of both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law.
<< photo by TienDat Nguyen >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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