TPC Staff
The Palestine Chronicle / June 14, 2026
Palestine’s national human rights institution says it documented kidnappings, torture, killings and aid interference by armed groups linked to Israel in Gaza.
The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), Palestine’s national human rights institution, has called for urgent international action against armed groups it says are operating under Israeli protection in the Gaza Strip, documenting cases of kidnapping, unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial executions and armed attacks against Palestinians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission said the groups are active in areas under direct or indirect Israeli military control and are responsible for serious violations affecting civilians and public order.
Established in 1993, the ICHR serves as Palestine’s official national human rights institution and monitors violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The commission called for international pressure on Israel to dismantle the groups, halt their arming and protection, and prevent them from operating in areas under its control.
Killings, torture and kidnappings
According to the commission, it documented cases of kidnapping, unlawful detention, severe torture and extrajudicial executions, in addition to armed attacks against Palestinians and civilian property.
The statement said the groups have used armed force, threats and violence to impose control and spread fear among civilians.
The commission warned that the activities of these groups threaten public order and undermine legal and institutional structures in Gaza.
It said the phenomenon contributes to the fragmentation of law enforcement mechanisms and creates multiple armed centers of power operating outside any legal framework.
Aid distribution concerns
The commission also accused some of the groups of interfering in humanitarian aid operations.
According to the statement, available evidence points to the involvement of some armed groups in aid routes and distribution mechanisms during Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The commission said the groups have exploited the humanitarian situation in ways that risk transforming aid from a basic civilian right into a means of influence, coercion and control.
It warned that such practices violate humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
The rights body called for the protection of aid operations and demanded guarantees that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in accordance with the principles of neutrality, independence and non-discrimination.
Israel legally responsible
The commission placed responsibility for the activities of the armed groups on Israel, saying the groups operate in areas under Israeli control and benefit from Israeli protection.
It said Israel bears legal responsibility for violations committed by groups it created, armed, protected or allowed to operate in territories under its effective control.
According to the commission, international humanitarian law does not allow an occupying power to evade its responsibilities toward civilians through the use of local armed groups or irregular formations.
The statement added that direct or indirect support, facilitation or protection of groups involved in abuses does not exempt Israel from responsibility for resulting violations.
Calls for international investigation
The commission called on the International Committee of the Red Cross to follow up on reported cases of kidnapping, disappearance and unlawful detention linked to the groups.
It urged efforts to determine the fate of missing persons, ensure the rights of families to know what happened to relatives and secure the release of individuals held outside legal procedures.
The commission also demanded independent investigations into all reported violations, particularly kidnapping, torture and extrajudicial executions.
It said accountability should extend to perpetrators as well as those who support, facilitate or provide protection for such acts.
The statement further called on mechanisms established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 to fulfil their obligations toward Gaza’s civilian population and provide protection from both the occupation and armed groups operating under its protection.
Resistance announces operations
Separately, resistance security forces in Gaza announced operations targeting collaborator networks working on behalf of Israel.
In a statement issued late Saturday, security officials said they had dismantled a cell allegedly coordinating directly with Israeli intelligence services.
According to the statement, the group was attempting to create disorder and lure police personnel into locations where they could be targeted.
Officials said the operation followed intelligence gathering and information provided by local residents.
Resistance security forces called on Palestinians to report suspicious activities and said operations against collaborator networks would continue.
Three executed for collaboration
In a separate development, a source cited by Quds News Network said resistance security forces carried out the execution of three individuals accused of collaborating with Israel.
According to the source, the three were accused of involvement in operations that led to the killing of resistance fighters and civilians.
The executions followed earlier announcements by resistance security officials regarding the arrest of individuals allegedly receiving instructions from groups coordinating with Israeli intelligence.
Officials said investigations indicated that some suspects were involved in efforts to incite unrest, target police personnel and assist operations against resistance and security figures.
Resistance security forces also reported seizing weapons and equipment during the operations.
