The ruling Hamas terrorist organization that has maintained a suffocating hold on Gaza is torturing its internal opponents into silence, according to the Amnesty International human rights organization.
The group noted in its report, released Tuesday, "At least two dozen [Palestinian Authority Arab] men have been kneecapped, beaten or otherwise tortured or ill-treated." Most were kidnapped from their homes, although some were tracked down in hospitals. The human rights group accused the terrorist organization of "abductions, killings, torture, and death threats against those they accuse of 'collaborating with Israel', as well as opponents and critics."
The allegations came as the result of testimony from residents who themselves were victimized, although it was noted that many others refused to testify due to fears of retaliation.
Those who spoke out told the human rights organization that victims who were kidnapped were usually later released wounded, in isolated areas, or their bodies were dropped off at the local morgue. Some were shot to death while they were lying wounded in hospitals.
The eyewitness accounts were gathered by a fact-finding team that was present in Gaza during and after the IDF's Operation 'Cast Lead', which ran for three weeks, beginning on December 27.
Amnesty International called on Hamas to immediately end its campaign of internal terror and agree to an independent, impartial, and nonpartisan commission of inquiry.