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Amnesty Accuses Hamas of Killing, Torturing Palestinians


An international human rights group says Hamas has killed or tortured dozens of Palestinians the militants accused of "collaborating" with Israel.

Amnesty International says at least 24 men have been shot dead by Hamas gunmen since the end of December, and scores more have been kidnapped, shot in the legs, beaten or tortured.

The London-based group asserts in a report released Tuesday that the attacks began shortly before Israel's 22-day military offensive targeting the Gaza Strip, and continued after a cease-fire took effect January 18.

Amnesty International says the victims include former members of the Palestinian Authority security forces and other activists from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.

Hamas has not yet responded to the report.

Israel's ground, air and sea attacks on Gaza left 13 Israelis and more than 1,300 Palestinians dead. The offensive destroyed thousands of homes, and damaged schools, mosques and hospitals.

Two Norwegian doctors who spoke out about the death and destruction they witnessed during the war won a freedom of speech award in Norway Tuesday.

The Freedom of Expression Tribute, Fritt Ord in Norwegian, honored Erik Fosse and Mads Gilbert for "tirelessly relating, with visual testimony, the suffering of the civilian population during the Gaza bombings."

The men were the only western doctors in Gaza when the war began.

Amnesty International has accused Israel's military of committing war crimes during the offensive. Israel says it respected international law.

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