Hamas accused of 'spine-chilling' abuses during Gaza war
Amnesty International claims Hamas used conflict with Israel to execute and torture its enemies

Hamas has been accused of committing "spine-chilling" war crimes, including the summary execution of at least 23 Palestinians, during last summer's Israel-Gaza conflict.
Amnesty International claims that during Israel's 50-day military offensive against Gaza, Hamas "took the opportunity to ruthlessly settle scores", carrying out unlawful killings, abductions and torture on opponents and alleged Israeli informants.
At least 23 Palestinians were executed by Hamas without due process, according to Amnesty. Some suspects were awaiting the outcome of appeals, some had said they had been tortured into confessing to "collaborating" with Israel, while others were never even formally charged.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The report, entitled Strangling Necks, also claims that Hamas "abducted, tortured or assaulted" perceived opponents with impunity, including members of the rival Fatah party and former members of the Palestinian Authority security forces in Gaza.
Many people were "arrested" by men in civilian clothes and masks who failed to present identification and forced suspects into cars. Amnesty uncovered evidence of Hamas forces beating suspects with truncheons, gun butts, hoses, wire, and fists. Others were also burnt with fire, hot metal or acid.
Amnesty says the abuses amount to "serious violations of international humanitarian law, constituting war crimes" and is urging Palestinian authorities to investigate the allegations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
"These spine-chilling actions, some of which amount to war crimes, were designed to exact revenge and spread fear across the Gaza Strip," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The abuses came as Israeli air and ground attacks killed more than 1,500 civilians, a third of whom were children, and reduced tens of thousands of homes to rubble.
Luther said it was "absolutely appalling that, while Israeli forces were inflicting massive death and destruction upon the people in Gaza, Hamas forces took the opportunity to ruthlessly settle scores, carrying out a series of unlawful killings and other grave abuses".
-
Marie Antoinette Style at the V&A: a ‘magnificent’ exhibition
The Week Recommends The UK’s first show dedicated solely to the French queen explores the complex woman behind the ‘bling’
-
8 riveting museum exhibitions on view in the fall
The Week Recommends See Winslow Homer rarities and Black art reimagined
-
Crossword: September 18, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Gaza genocide: will UN ruling change anything?
Today's Big Question Commission of inquiry’s findings ‘give unprecedented weight’ to genocide claims
-
Why ‘anti-Islam’ bikers are guarding Gaza aid sites
In The Spotlight Members of Infidels MC, who regard themselves as modern Crusaders, among private security guards at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites
-
Has Israel’s Qatar strike scuppered a ceasefire?
Today’s Big Question Netanyahu ‘gambles’ on ‘overwhelming strength’ rather than diplomacy in attack on Hamas negotiation team in Doha
-
Israel targets Hamas leaders in Qatar airstrike
Speed Read Hamas said five low-level leaders were killed in the attack
-
What are the Abraham Accords and why are they under threat?
The Explainer The 2020 agreements would be 'undermined' if Israel annexes West Bank, UAE warns
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
How Israel's 'Legitimisation Cell' is justifying journalist killings in Gaza
The Explainer Evidence suggests a secret intelligence unit is portraying Palestinian journalists as Hamas operatives