Hamas responded to the report instead by understanding that the report was a propaganda piece to make HRW pretend to be even-handed and it was really part of a larger campaign against Israel.
In a statement, Hamas said:
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas stressed the importance of what was stated in the report of Human Rights Watch accusing the Israeli occupation of committing crimes that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas noted the need for the international community to move to hold the occupation and its leaders accountable, and to take all necessary measures to stop this continuous aggression and end the occupation.
Hamas and HRW, in perfect sync.
What about the rockets that HRW said were war crimes? Hamas mostly ignored that, and addresses the issue obliquely:
The group stressed the inherent right of our people to defend themselves and their sanctities, and to resist occupation by all available means, including armed resistance, which is guaranteed by international laws.
This is Hamas' excuse for terror - one that HRW didn't take issue with.
It indicated that the resistance, in its defense of our people and the response to aggression, only targeted Israeli military gatherings and targets. However, the Palestinian resistance affirms taking all necessary measures and precautions to avoid targeting civilians wherever they are.She pointed to the resistance's constant keenness to develop its capabilities to enable it to target only Israeli military headquarters and activities, stressing that the occupying power systematically uses civilians as human shields, as it builds its security and military headquarters inside cities near schools, hospitals and civilian airports.
Guess who tweeted that absurd accusation?
Yes - it was Ken Roth, HRW's head!
Of course Hamas will mimic Roth's arguments!
The HRW report didn't even mention that Hamas and Islamic Jihad bragged about targeting civilians. They published articles and videos crowing about Jews hiding in shelters.
HRW and Hamas are united in their goals of destroying Israel. Anyone who thinks that HRW's report today on Gaza rockets was anti-Hamas can see that even Hamas welcomed it - because they know who their allies are.
