Fact Check: "While clearly facing great struggle, not all Palestinians are innocent of crimes like those committed against them."
What We Know
The claim suggests that while Palestinians are victims of violence, some may also be involved in criminal activities. This perspective is supported by various reports indicating that armed groups within Palestinian territories have engaged in violent acts, including rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. For instance, since October 7, 2023, armed groups in Gaza have launched approximately 28,000 rocket, missile, and drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties in Israel (World Report 2025).
However, the context of these actions is critical. The ongoing violence from Israeli military operations has led to significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises in Gaza, with over 44,000 reported deaths and widespread displacement (World Report 2025). The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for leaders of both Hamas and Israeli officials for war crimes, indicating that both sides have been implicated in acts that could be classified as crimes against humanity (World Report 2025).
Analysis
The claim's validity hinges on the interpretation of "innocence" and the complexities of the conflict. On one hand, reports indicate that some Palestinians, particularly members of armed groups, have committed violent acts against Israelis. For example, the UN reported that Palestinians killed 6 Israeli settlers and 16 soldiers during a specific timeframe, while Israeli forces killed 719 Palestinians, highlighting a significant disparity in casualties (World Report 2025).
On the other hand, the overwhelming majority of Palestinian casualties are civilians, and many reports emphasize the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli military actions. The UN Human Rights Council has described Israeli military operations as constituting war crimes, particularly due to the disproportionate impact on civilians, including attacks on schools and hospitals (Israeli actions in Palestinian territories constitute war crimes ...).
The sources used in this analysis, including reports from Human Rights Watch and the UN, are generally credible and recognized for their thorough investigations into human rights violations. However, they may carry inherent biases based on their mandates and the political contexts in which they operate.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While it acknowledges that some Palestinians may engage in criminal activities, it fails to account for the broader context of systemic violence and oppression faced by the Palestinian population. The significant civilian toll and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza complicate the narrative of guilt and innocence, suggesting that while some individuals may commit crimes, the majority are victims of a larger conflict characterized by severe human rights violations.
Sources
- World Report 2025: Israel and Palestine
- Israeli actions in Palestinian territories constitute war crimes ...
- Israel Commits 3,496 Crimes, Killing and Injuring 2,652 ...
- Israeli attacks on educational, religious and cultural sites in ...
- Gaza: Israel's use of starvation evidence of genocide ...
- West Bank Settler Violence in 2025: A Human Rights Crisis
- A/HRC/59/23: From economy of occupation to ...
- The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
