Recent reports have brought to light the severe treatment of Hamas militants accused of engaging in same-sex relationships. Secret documents, recovered by the Israel Defense Forces and reported by The New York Post, reveal that Hamas tortured and executed its own fighters who failed the organization’s strict “morality checks.”
The revelations also expose disturbing allegations of sexual violence committed by Hamas members against Israeli hostages during the October 7 attack. These findings provide a deeper insight into Hamas’ internal operations and its strict enforcement of ideological and religious doctrines.
Hamas’ Strict Punishment for Same-Sex Relations
The secret documents reportedly list Hamas recruits who were accused of violating the group’s strict morality rules, including engaging in homosexuality, flirting with women outside of marriage, and other behaviors deemed unacceptable.
According to these documents, 94 Hamas recruits were accused of “moral corruption,” leading to their torture and, in some cases, execution.
One of the most notable cases of such punishment was the execution of Mahmoud Ishtiwi, a former Hamas commander, in 2016. Ishtiwi was accused of homosexuality and was subjected to brutal torture before being executed with three bullets to his chest. His case reflects Hamas’ intolerance toward those within its ranks who do not conform to its strict interpretation of religious law.
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In Gaza, where Hamas governs, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment or even death. The recovered documents suggest that Hamas enforces these laws not only on civilians but also within its own ranks.
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Religious leaders cited in the documents emphasized that homosexuality is “more heinous than adultery” and should be punished with “stoning to death.” The documents further reveal that accused fighters were subjected to harsh treatment, including being hung by their hands and legs for extended periods.
Sexual Violence Allegations Against Hamas
Alongside the revelations of internal purges within Hamas, the reports also highlight shocking claims of sexual violence committed by Hamas militants against Israeli men during the October 7 attack. The documents indicate that Hamas fighters allegedly engaged in the rape and sexual assault of male Israeli victims, further adding to the horrific nature of their attacks.
Hostages taken by Hamas were reportedly subjected to similar abuses. The testimonies collected suggest that these acts of violence were not isolated incidents but rather part of the broader brutality employed by the group.
The reports indicate that Hamas’ leadership is aware of these crimes but has remained silent on the issue, as acknowledging them would contradict the organization’s ideological stance.
The allegations of sexual violence have sparked widespread outrage, with human rights organizations calling for an independent investigation. Eve Harow, the Director of Education for One Israel Fund, stated that Hamas’ cruelty knows no limits and that anyone who fails to conform to its strict ideology faces severe persecution.
The latest findings further highlight the extent to which Hamas uses violence—not only against its adversaries but also against its own members.
The Broader Implications of Hamas’ Policies
Hamas’ brutal actions against its own members and its treatment of civilians raise serious concerns about governance in Gaza and the militant group’s ideology. The strict enforcement of religious law within Hamas ranks reflects the oppressive nature of its rule, where even suspected deviations result in extreme punishment.
The revelations also challenge the perception that Hamas is solely focused on the conflict with Israel. Instead, the internal documents suggest that Hamas prioritizes maintaining ideological purity within its own ranks, even at the cost of eliminating its own fighters.
The cases of those accused of homosexuality highlight the deeply ingrained culture of fear within the organization, where members must conform strictly to religious and moral codes to avoid persecution.
Moreover, the sexual violence allegations against Hamas fighters complicate the group’s claims of being a resistance movement.
The reports indicate that Hamas militants engaged in acts that go against their professed moral values, revealing contradictions within their ideology. These findings may lead to further scrutiny from international human rights organizations and governments worldwide.
As more information continues to emerge, the global community faces pressing questions about Hamas’ governance, the treatment of individuals under its rule, and the broader implications of its extremist policies.
The revelations of torture, executions, and sexual violence underscore the brutal reality of Hamas’ operations, shedding light on an organization that enforces its ideology with extreme cruelty.