Between August 2024 and January 2026, international monitors and human rights organizations documented 249 cases of extrajudicial executions and severe violence in the Gaza Strip. According to investigations by Amnesty International and the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Hamas forces carried out public killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture targeting civilians accused of collaborating with Israel or looting amidst ongoing conflict.
The disclosures arrive as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens following the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023. While international attention remains fixated on the broader military campaign, human rights monitors warn that the internal civilian population faces severe abuse from local armed authorities operating outside any recognized legal framework.
Documenting Extrajudicial Killings and Public Executions
Amnesty International’s latest investigation details nine specific extrajudicial executions and one unlawful killing perpetrated by Hamas forces. These incidents occurred following the announcement of a ceasefire with Israel in October 2025 and during a subsequent security campaign launched on July 1, 2026, when a man was publicly executed in Gaza under suspicion of spying for Israel.
Video footage and photographs analyzed by human rights investigators show armed individuals conducting public killings, often in streets and public squares. These recordings were frequently shared on Telegram channels linked to the military wing of Hamas and affiliated armed groups. According to the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, more than half of the 249 recorded violent incidents between August 2024 and January 2026—which resulted in at least 108 deaths—directly involved forces affiliated with Hamas.
Here is why that matters for the rule of law in the territory: local authorities have consistently failed to provide transparent judicial processes for detainees. When Amnesty International shared its findings with Hamas authorities in November 2025 and followed up with a request for clarification in July 2026, the response lacked concrete accountability measures. Hamas officials stated only that internal investigations had been opened, without providing further details or judicial outcomes.
The Siege and Massacre of the Dughmush Family
A central case study in the human rights documentation involves the Dughmush family, who sought refuge from Israeli airstrikes at a field hospital near the Al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. On October 10, 2025, Hamas forces attempted to expel the family from the facility, alleging that the Dughmush clan had looted medical supplies and stored weapons on the premises.
What followed was a week-long siege that left the immediate area heavily damaged by fire and shelling. During the confrontation, four armed members of the Dughmush family and one Hamas fighter were killed. However, the violence extended to non-combatants.
According to eyewitness testimonies gathered by Amnesty International from surviving relatives and local residents, eight unarmed members of the family were executed after surrendering. Witnesses stated that the men had laid down their arms under guarantees of a fair trial, only to be killed in public two hours later. Video footage of the aftermath showed the victims stripped, bearing visible signs of abuse, and displayed on social media channels.
Global Repercussions and Regional Stability
| Reporting Period | Documented Incidents | Recorded Deaths | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2024 – January 2026 | 249 cases of violence | At least 108 deaths | UN Independent Commission of Inquiry |
| Post-October 2025 Ceasefire | 9 extrajudicial executions, 1 unlawful killing | Multiple civilian fatalities | Amnesty International Investigation |
| October 10, 2025 | Siege of Al-Sabra field hospital | 13 total dead (including 8 unarmed Dughmush men) | Eyewitness and Family Testimonies |
Calls for Accountability
Human rights organizations continue to press for independent oversight to ensure that perpetrators of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture face formal legal consequences. As local authorities maintain that internal probes are underway, international legal experts emphasize that investigations must meet recognized standards of transparency and due process to address the grievances of victims’ families.
What are your thoughts on how international bodies should handle internal security abuses during active conflicts? Let us know in the discussion below.
