The October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups represents one of the most in-depth investigations conducted to date by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The NGO's comprehensive report, published on July 17, highlights a series of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, intentional killings, and the use of human shields.
Belkis Wille, associate director of HRW, emphasized the scale of these atrocities, noting that it is impossible to quantify the exact number of cases, but there were clearly hundreds on that day. According to HRW, more than 815 civilians were killed during the attack, with the total death toll on the Israeli side reaching 1,195, the majority being civilians.
The HRW report also points to the involvement of multiple armed groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in the meticulously planned and coordinated attacks on towns, kibbutzim, and military bases in southern Israel. The attackers employed brutal tactics such as firing at civilians at close range, using grenade launchers against homes, and committing summary executions.
HRW's investigation calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take into account not only Hamas but also other factions involved in the violence. The report documents numerous violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual and gender-based violence, hostage-taking, and the use of human shields.
In response to the attack, Israel launched a retaliatory operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip, resulting in over 38,700 deaths, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. HRW has also reported on serious violations committed by Israeli troops, describing these actions as war crimes and part of a broader pattern of collective punishment and apartheid.
The report underscores the urgent need for a global call to action to end abuses against civilians in both Israel and Palestine. HRW urges governments to press for the immediate release of civilian hostages and to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
Despite the ongoing conflict, efforts to secure a ceasefire continue, with international negotiators working in Egypt and Qatar. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has stated that a full investigation into the security failures that allowed the attack will only be conducted after the war ends.
HRW's 236-page report, based on interviews with 144 people, including 94 witnesses, provides a detailed account of the atrocities committed. The report also highlights the challenges faced by independent investigators in accessing Gaza due to Israeli restrictions.
The findings of the HRW report come amid growing calls for accountability and justice. The ICC Prosecutor's Office has requested arrest warrants against key figures, including Netanyahu and Hamas leaders. The report serves as a stark reminder of the need to address the cycle of violence and ensure the protection of civilians in the region.
