Human Rights Reports Detail Hamas Torture and Extrajudicial Killings of Palestinians

Recent allegations circulating on social media, notably from Eyal Yakoby, claim severe human rights abuses by Hamas against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. According to Yakoby's tweet, Hamas reportedly released a video "torturing Palestinians" two days prior, followed by filming themselves "shooting Palestinians in the legs" yesterday, and announcing "mass executions" today. These specific, immediate claims, while yet to be independently verified as breaking news, resonate with a well-documented and concerning pattern of human rights violations attributed to the governing authority in Gaza.

International human rights organizations have consistently highlighted Hamas's systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings against its own people. Amnesty International's 2024 report, for instance, noted that critics of Hamas authorities in Gaza were subjected to physical assault, and many Palestinians detained by the group reported experiencing torture and other forms of ill-treatment. The report also cited cases, such as the killing of an aid worker by Hamas security forces, where accountability and investigation were notably absent.

Detailed investigations by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International spanning back to 2012 and 2015 have further corroborated these patterns. Their findings include accounts of severe physical abuse, such as beatings with metal clubs and rubber hoses, and even hanging. These reports specifically documented the torture of dozens of individuals and the extrajudicial execution of at least 23 Palestinians accused of collaboration with Israel, particularly during and in the aftermath of the 2014 conflict. The United Nations has also released reports in 2024, confirming ongoing human rights abuses by Hamas within the context of the broader conflict.

The challenges of independent reporting from the Gaza Strip often mean that specific, real-time incidents like those described in Yakoby's tweet may not immediately appear in mainstream international media. Access for journalists and human rights monitors is frequently restricted, and the information environment is highly controlled. However, the consistent documentation by reputable human rights bodies provides critical context, indicating that the nature of the abuses alleged in the tweet is consistent with Hamas's established record of suppressing dissent and maintaining control through coercive measures.

Beyond these grave allegations of physical abuse and killings, Hamas has also faced widespread criticism for its governance practices, including the suppression of political freedoms, restrictions on press and assembly, and concerns over the potential misuse of humanitarian aid. This ongoing scrutiny from human rights advocates underscores deep-seated concerns about the welfare and rights of the Palestinian population living under Hamas's de facto rule.