Overview

Palestinian armed groups in Gaza held and mistreated hostages until their release after the October ceasefire, and endangered Palestinian civilians by locating military objectives in or near densely populated areas. Palestinian authorities failed to conduct independent investigations into serious violations of international law, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, and into violations of human rights against Palestinians. Palestinian armed individuals killed Israeli civilians, including settlers living illegally in the occupied West Bank. Intra-Palestinian violence and lawlessness surged in Gaza, enabled by Israel’s genocide. Palestinian Hamas-run forces executed civilians whom they accused of collaborating with Israel, and summarily punished others accused of offences including looting. There were reports of torture and other ill-treatment in Palestinian detention centres and prisons in the West Bank.