By Matt Underwood Video appears to show Hamas shooting several alleged ‘collaborators’ in Gaza. This is horrific, yet sadly unsurprising given Hamas’s long history of violence against its own people and neighbors. The video depicts extrajudicial killings, a stark violation of basic human rights. The lack of due process and the summary nature of these executions underscore the group’s disregard for the rule of law.
The sheer brutality displayed in the video highlights a pattern of behavior. This isn’t an isolated incident; Hamas has reportedly been carrying out such actions for months, often without uniforms, but now, coincidentally, seem to be uniformly dressed for these actions. This suggests a deliberate and organized campaign of intimidation and terror.
The actions displayed directly contradict the principles of due process and justice. Under Palestinian law, death sentences require presidential approval, a step Hamas consistently ignores, highlighting a blatant disregard for established legal frameworks. This underscores their complete disregard for established laws and international norms.
The lack of widespread reporting on these events is alarming. The silence from major news outlets, such as Al Jazeera, is particularly troubling, raising concerns about bias and the suppression of important information. The near complete lack of international condemnation, aside from social media outrage, also points to a broader failure to adequately address the human rights abuses occurring in Gaza. This apparent media blackout has allowed the narrative to be heavily skewed, enabling the spread of misinformation and further complicating efforts to address the situation.
This situation fuels the ongoing debate about the nature of the conflict and the role of Hamas. The argument that Hamas gained power through democratic elections is often raised, but this overlooks the fact that democratic processes haven’t been allowed to occur since 2005. Moreover, the question remains whether the initial election accurately reflects the will of the people, given the context of Hamas’s tactics and control over information. Even if the initial election was legitimate, the subsequent suppression of any further democratic processes nullifies any claim to democratic legitimacy.
The suggestion that Hamas’s actions are a response to the Israeli conflict is not a justification for extrajudicial killings. While there’s no denying the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people, that doesn’t excuse the use of terroristic tactics against their own citizens, or the suppression of potential political opponents. The argument that the actions are a necessary evil to maintain control overlooks the horrific reality of summary executions and the fundamental violation of human rights.
The broader context surrounding this violence is critical. It needs to be viewed in the light of Hamas’s well-documented history of violence, their control over Gaza, and their influence over the flow of information. Understanding this context is crucial in preventing the perpetuation of such violence and preventing the manipulation of narratives to justify human rights abuses. The issue transcends the immediate conflict, highlighting larger issues of human rights, accountability, and the international community’s response to such atrocities.
The international community has a responsibility to address these atrocities. Silence and inaction only embolden Hamas and allow these horrific acts to continue. Effective action requires not only condemnation, but also a coordinated international effort to hold Hamas accountable for its actions, protect civilians, and promote justice and human rights within Gaza. The world cannot stand by while such blatant violations of human rights occur.