‘Documented Events’: Israel Shares Video After Hamas Denies Targeting Civilians During October 7 Attack

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday rejected Hamas’ claims denying atrocities during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and shared a video that documented the killing of civilians, including women and children.

While responding to a 42-page document released by Hamas, which claimed the group did not deliberately target civilians during the attack and denied allegations of killing children and committing sexual violence, the IDF shared a 10-minute video on X that showed a fraction of Hamas’ brutal actions during the massacre.

“This footage shows a fraction of Hamas’ brutal actions during the massacre and was released for publication over two years ago. It shows what Hamas now denies. These are not allegations. These are documented events,”

the IDF said.

The Hamas document, published on Friday, laid out the group’s version of the 7 October attack, as well as its assessment of Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza and its vision for the future of the enclave. Hamas accused “Western media and Zionist lobby groups” of running a disinformation campaign about the events of the attack.

Hamas said killing civilians was against its “religion, morality and education” and claimed it had avoided targeting civilians whenever possible. It also alleged that Israeli military actions, including the bombing of areas in southern Israel where civilians were present, contributed to civilian deaths.

The Palestinian group renewed calls for an impartial international investigation into civilian deaths on 7 October, as well as into Israel’s actions in Gaza. Hamas also said it had offered to release non-military captives shortly after the attack, an offer it claimed Israel initially rejected.

Around 1,200 people were killed in Israel when Hamas and other armed groups launched the surprise attack on southern Israel, and 251 people were taken captive to Gaza. During a brief truce in November 2023, around 100 captives were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

In 2024, the International Criminal Court announced it had sought arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the 7 October attack. The ICC prosecutor also sought warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes related to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.