Overview
- Amnesty characterizes the killing of civilians on Oct. 7 as the crime against humanity of “extermination,” alongside other crimes including imprisonment, torture and enforced disappearance.
- The report finds Hamas’s Ezzedine Al‑Qassam Brigades primarily responsible, with lesser roles for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and unaffiliated civilians.
- Investigators say hostage‑taking formed part of an explicit plan by Hamas leadership, with hostages mistreated and some victims’ bodies retained.
- Amnesty cites roughly 70 interviews and hundreds of photos and videos, notes limited evidence from survivors regarding sexual violence, and reports non‑cooperation by Israeli authorities.
- Context includes about 1,221 people killed in Israel on Oct. 7 and 251 abducted, while Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 70,369 deaths; ICC warrants for Israeli leaders remain active and earlier warrants for senior Hamas figures were annulled after their deaths.