Hamas led other Palestinian groups in committing hundreds of war crimes in the surprise October 7 attack on Israel that sparked fighting in Gaza, AFP reports according to a newly-released Human Rights Watch report.

One of the most in-depth international studies on the unprecedented incursion into southern Israel outlined a host of potential war crimes cases. “It’s impossible for us to put a number on the specific instances,” HRW associate director Belkis Wille told a news conference, adding that “there were obviously hundreds on that day”.

The crimes include “deliberate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian objects; wilful killing of persons in custody; cruel and other inhumane treatment; sexual and gender-based violence; hostage taking; mutilation and despoiling (robbing) of bodies; use of human shields; and pillage and looting”, said the report.

The report focuses on violations of international humanitarian law, rules mostly rooted in the Geneva Conventions for conduct in war.

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