7 October 2023

People killed in their homes, in shelters and as they fled

The report reconstructs the attacks on at least 19 kibbutzim and 5 moshavim, the cities of Sderot and Ofakim, two music festivals and a beach party.

The fighters fired at close range on people trying to flee. They threw grenades and opened fire inside safe rooms and shelters, fired rocket-propelled grenades at homes, and set houses on fire with families inside, who were burned or suffocated to death.

According to the AFP count cited in the report, of the 1,195 people killed on 7 October, 815 were civilians, including 79 foreigners, at least 282 women and 36 children. At the Supernova festival alone at least 364 civilians were killed and 40 people were abducted. In all, 251 people were taken hostage.

HRW concludes that numerous war crimes were committed, including deliberate or indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the killing of people in custody, cruel and inhuman treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, hostage-taking, mutilation and despoiling of bodies, the use of human shields and pillage. Because the attack was widespread and systematic and directed against the civilian population, the killing of civilians and the taking of hostages also constitute crimes against humanity.