Hamas accused of war crimes in Gaza

B'Tselem calls for formal probe, says Israel responsible for W. Bank rights.

Hamas-Fatah 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
Hamas-Fatah 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
The B'Tselem human rights organization said on Monday that Hamas may have committed war crimes in the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported. The organization called on the Hamas leadership in Gaza to probe the events of the past several days, in which at least 160 Palestinians were killed and over 700 wounded in the bloodiest surge of fighting yet between Hamas and Fatah, and to bring those responsible for the crimes to trial. In a statement, B'Tselem also accused Fatah operatives of attacking institutions affiliated with Hamas in the West Bank. According to the statement, Israel carries full responsibility for protecting human rights in the West Bank. Hamas began its coup of Gaza on Tuesday, taking over strategic Fatah posts in fighting that left dozens dead. Subsequent reports of violence last week included Hamas fighters taking Fatah prisoners outside and executing them in public, in front of their wives and children.