Amnesty International has, for the first time, formally accused Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing crimes against humanity during and after the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
In a comprehensive 173-page report released on Wednesday, the global human rights watchdog said its investigation found clear evidence that “Palestinian armed groups committed violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes and crimes against humanity during their attacks in southern Israel that started on 7 October 2023.”
According to Amnesty, the violations extended beyond the initial assault. The organisation said Hamas “continued to commit violations and crimes under international law in their holding and mistreatment of hostages and the withholding of bodies seized” during the attack.
This marks the first time Amnesty has categorised Hamas’ actions as crimes against humanity, although the group had previously documented alleged war crimes by the militants.
The report emerges amid intense global scrutiny of the conduct of both Hamas and Israel throughout the conflict. Amnesty noted that its findings form part of a broader, ongoing investigation into human rights abuses committed by all parties since the war began.
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