Pows

Hostage Taking on October 7, 2023: Hamas abducted 251 individuals—civilians, soldiers, children, and elderly—during their attack on Israel, forcibly taking them to Gaza.
Not Prisoners of War (POWs): POW status, as defined by the Geneva Conventions, applies only to soldiers captured in conflicts between recognized state militaries. Hamas, a terrorist organization, is not a state military force, rendering POW laws inapplicable.
War Crimes Committed: Holding civilians and soldiers as hostages is a violation of international humanitarian law, constituting a war crime. Hamas further breaches these laws by denying captives basic rights, including food, water, and medical care.
Contrast with Israel’s Actions: Israel lawfully detains Hamas operatives, many of whom forfeit any claim to POW protections by deliberately targeting civilians, a violation of the laws of war.
Legal Clarity: Regardless of the Palestinian Authority’s status or the nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Hamas’s hostage-taking is illegal under international law, starkly contrasting with Israel’s adherence to legal detention standards.