Amnesty International Accuses Hamas of Crimes Against Humanity in October 7 Attacks

Amnesty International has released a report accusing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing crimes against humanity, including extermination, during their October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. The organization detailed that 1,221 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the massacre, and 251 were taken hostage, with 44 already deceased. Of the 207 captured alive, 41 have died or been killed in captivity. The report highlights ongoing violations such as torture, forced disappearances, and sexual violence committed by these groups.

Hamas, particularly its military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, is identified as primarily responsible. Other groups, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, share lesser responsibility. The hostage taking was part of a strategic plan by Hamas and associated groups.

The report also addresses the broader conflict, noting over 70,369 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli military retaliation since the attack, with more than half of the casualties being women and children according to the local health ministry. Amnesty accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, a charge vehemently denied by Israeli officials as false and anti-Semitic.

Amnesty’s accusations mark the first time it has labeled Hamas’s actions during the October 7 assault as crimes against humanity, expanding on previous war crimes allegations. The International Criminal Court has also issued arrest warrants against key figures from both sides for war crimes and crimes against humanity.