Armed groups in Gaza commit war crimes according to HRW report

The Palestinian armed groups in Gaza committed "hundreds" of war crimes in their unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, denounced Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a recently published report. The investigation revealed a series of offenses that violate international law and have triggered an escalation of violence in the region. According to HRW, war crimes include deliberate attacks on civilians, intentional killings of detained individuals, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the use of human shields and acts of looting and pillaging. These actions violate international humanitarian law, which establishes rules on conduct in times of war to protect the civilian population. HRW's associate director, Belkis Wille, pointed out that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of crimes committed on that day, but stated that they were in the hundreds. The seriousness of the events has led the organization to classify some of them as "crimes against humanity," such as the planned murder of civilians and hostage-taking. Although Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, HRW's report also mentions other Palestinian armed factions, such as Islamic Jihad, that participated in the war crimes. The coordinated and planned nature of the attack has been emphasized by the organization, debunking the idea that the most serious violent acts were committed by civilians in Gaza. According to HRW's report, over 815 civilians lost their lives in the attack, while on the Israeli side, 1,195 deaths were recorded, mostly civilians, and 251 were kidnapped. Israel launched a military campaign against Gaza in response to the attack, with the aim of eliminating Hamas, resulting in a high number of civilian casualties in the territory controlled by the Islamist group. The violence in the region has raised international concern, with calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights. Organizations like HRW have urged for an impartial investigation of the war crimes committed and for those responsible to be brought to justice to prevent impunity. The conflict in the Middle East continues to claim lives and generate suffering among the civilian population, making it urgent to seek a peaceful and lasting solution that respects the rights of all parties involved. Meanwhile, the international community continues to pressure the conflicting parties to end the violence and engage in a peace process to stop the bloodshed in the region.