The Evidence Could Not Be Clearer

On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report which concluded that ‘Hamas-led armed groups committed numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity against civilians during the October 7th assault on southern Israel.’

Those crimes included wilful killing of people in custody, hostage-taking, murder and wrongful imprisonment, cruel and other inhumane treatment. They have led HRW to appeal to governments with influence over the Palestinian armed groups to press for the urgent release of all civilian hostages.

HRW interviewed 144 people between October 2023 and June 2024, including 94 Israelis and others who witnessed the October 7th assault, members of victims families, first responders, and medical experts. Researchers also verified and analysed more than 280 photographs and videos taken during the assault and posted on social media or shared directly with the organisation.

The HRW report concludes that October 7th saw a widespread and systematic attack which had the killing of civilians and the taking of hostages as central aims that were planned, and not actions that occurred on the spur of the moment, or as a plan went wrong, or that were just isolated acts. There is strong evidence of an organisational policy to commit multiple crimes against humanity.

While Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades led the assault, HRW says there is strong evidence that at least four other armed groups took part, including:

• al-Quds Brigades, part of Palestinian Islamic Jihad,
• Omar al-Qasim Forces, part of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine,
• Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, part of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine,
• al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, which is linked to Fatah.

In the classic behaviour that has come to be expected, Hamas has reacted angrily to the report, demanding that HRW withdraw it and apologise. But interviewed on France 24, Belkis Wille, Associate Director at HRW said:

“Of course, Hamas wants to distance its forces from having participated in those acts
but again the evidence couldn`t be clearer.”