Editing Hamas (section)

==Criticism==
{{main|Criticism of Hamas|Use of human shields by Hamas|Allegations of genocide in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|Hamas baby beheading hoax}}

Aside from its use of [[political violence]] in pursuit of its goals, Hamas has been [[Criticism of Hamas|widely criticised for a variety of reasons]], including the use of antisemitic [[hate speech]] by its representatives, frequent [[Calls for the destruction of Israel|calls for the military destruction of Israel]], its reported [[Use of human shields by Hamas|use of human shields]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taub |first=Amanda |date=7 August 2014 |title=Did Israel violate international law in Gaza? |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/8/7/5975255/9-questions-you-were-embarrassed-to-ask-about-whether-the-war-in-gaza |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |language=en |quote=It is true that Hamas and other-Gaza based militants aren't complying with international law themselves. They target Israeli civilians in rocket attacks, commingle military sites and operations with civilian institutions, and, according to some reports, force people to remain in buildings after warnings from the Israeli military in order to serve as human shields.}}</ref> and [[child combatants]] as part of its military operations,{{sfn|Levitt|2006|pp=124-134}} its restriction of [[political freedom]]s within the [[Gaza Strip]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaza Strip: Freedom in the World 2023 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/gaza-strip/freedom-world/2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015092232/https://freedomhouse.org/country/gaza-strip/freedom-world/2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023 |website=[[Freedom House]] |language=en}}</ref> and [[human rights abuses]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012/world-report-2012-israeloccupied-palestinian-territories |title=World Report 2012: Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories |date=22 January 2012 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=6 January 2013}}</ref>

After the start of the 2023 war, the [[European Parliament]] passed a motion stating the need for Hamas to be eliminated, with US President Biden having expressed the same sentiment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Parliament calls for Hamas to be 'eliminated,' urges release of hostages |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/european-parliament-calls-for-hamas-to-be-eliminated-urges-release-of-hostages/ |access-date=21 October 2023 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bose |first1=Nandita |last2=Jackson |first2=Katharine |date=16 October 2023 |title=Biden says Hamas must be eliminated, US officials warn of escalation |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/conflict-middle-east-could-escalate-us-national-security-adviser-warns-2023-10-15/ |access-date=21 October 2023}}</ref> Hamas was accused of having committed genocide against Israelis on 7 October 2023 by 240 legal experts, including jurists and academics.<ref>
* {{Cite web |date=19 October 2023 |title=Genocide Emergency Alert: Israel and Gaza |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-emergency-alert-israel-and-gaza |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=genocidewatch |language=en}}
* {{Cite web |date=3 November 2023 |title=Israeli families bring war crime complaint to ICC: lawyer |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231103-israeli-families-bring-war-crime-complaint-to-icc-lawyer |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en}}
* {{Cite news |title=Deadly Hamas Rampage Constitutes 'International Crime of Genocide,' Hundreds of Legal Experts Say |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-16/ty-article/hamas-deadly-rampage-constitutes-crime-of-genocide-hundreds-of-legal-experts-say/0000018b-37d1-d450-a3af-7fddda070000 |access-date=7 December 2023}}
* {{Cite news |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=15 October 2023 |title=Hamas actions are war crimes, could constitute genocide – international law experts |work=[[Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-actions-are-war-crimes-could-constitute-genocide-international-law-experts/}}
* {{Cite web |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=18 October 2023 |title=Legal Experts: Hamas committed War Crimes, Genocide |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/legal-experts-hamas-committed-war-crimes-genocide |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=genocidewatch |language=en}}</ref>