Amnesty International has reported that Hamas committed crimes against humanity during its October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, citing murder, extermination, torture, rape and inhumane acts. The group said its findings were based on interviews with 70 witnesses, visits to attack sites, and the review of more than 350 videos and photographs. It said the acts were “part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population.”
Hamas denied the allegations and called on Amnesty to retract the report, while Israel has not yet commented. The attack killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli and Amnesty figures. Amnesty noted that 168 hostages were later freed, while others died in captivity. The October 7 assault precipitated Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.