Special to WorldTribune.com

During the 2014 Gaza war, Hamas executed more than 20 people, including political opponents and many suspected of collaborating with Israel, Amnesty International reported on May 27.

Hamas, using the “chaos of the conflict,” carried out “spine-chilling actions, some of which amount to war crimes,” said Phillip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program director.

“It is absolutely appalling that while Israeli forces were inflicting massive death and destruction upon the people in Gaza, Hamas forces took the opportunity to ruthlessly settle scores.”

The executions included members of rival political faction Fatah, which is led by Mahmoud Abbas, Amnesty reported.

The May 27 report said that several of those executed were in jail before the 50-day war began. Amnesty said 17 executions were carried out on Aug. 22, 2014, including 11 prisoners at Katiba prison in Gaza City who were either appealing their sentences or awaiting trial.

Hamas official Salah Bardawil called the report a biased attempt to divert attention from alleged Israeli war crimes.

“Amnesty should have investigated the war crimes against humanity committed by Israel instead of criticizing the victims,” Bardawil said.

  Amnesty International: Hamas exploited 2014 war to execute critics, Fatah, Gaza Strip, Israel war