Hamas 'Killed And Tortured Palestinians'

Hamas committed war crimes against Palestinians suspected of "collaborating" with Israel during last year's war in the Gaza Strip, says Amnesty International.

In a bid to "settle scores", at least 23 people were killed by the Islamist group during the 50-day conflict, and dozens more were arrested and tortured, said the human rights group.

"Hamas forces carried out a brutal campaign of abductions, torture and unlawful killings against Palestinians accused of 'collaborating' with Israel and others during Israel's military offensive against Gaza," it said.

The victims were supporters of Fatah, Hamas' main political rivals in Gaza, and former members of the Palestinian Authority security forces.

"In the chaos of the conflict, the de facto Hamas administration granted its security forces free rein to carry out horrific abuses including against people in its custody," Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa director Philip Luther said.

He added: "These spine-chilling actions, some of which amount to war crimes, were designed to exact revenge and spread fear across the Gaza Strip."

A Hamas spokesman rejected the report - saying it "lacks professionalism and credibility and is deliberately exaggerated".

Amnesty has called on the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority and Hamas to "cooperate with independent and impartial international investigative mechanisms", and to bring "suspected perpetrators" to justice.

In a previous report in March, Amnesty also accused Israel of war crimes during the conflict in which 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis died.

Palestinians are preparing to sue Israeli officials through the International Criminal Court for the alleged war crimes - but this may also expose Palestinians to possible prosecution if a case is opened.

The Jewish state went to war against the de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip to stamp out cross-border rocket and mortar fire.

A ceasefire was declared last August.