A Hamas military court in the Gaza Strip sentenced six people to death for “collaborating with the occupation,” among 13 detainees convicted of the same charge. Five were sentenced to death by hanging and one by firing squad.
“The military court issued 13 different sentences against the suspects, including six to death,” said Nasser Sleiman, head of the military court in the Gaza Strip.
Sleiman added that among those sentenced to death was a merchant who, on more than one occasion, helped Israeli special forces gain access to and film the area of residence Mazen Faqha.
Faqha was one of the leaders of Hamas’ armed wing, Ezzeddine al-Qassam, and was assassinated in in the Gaza Strip in late March 2017.
The convicts included a female fugitive from the Gaza Strip to Israel.
This is not the first time Hamas has issued and executed death sentences against suspects for collaborating with Israel. The Palestinian Authority and human rights organizations have expressed their opposition to the death penalty.
“This is a clear message to the agents and collaborators of the occupation,” said Iyad al-Bazam, spokesman for the Interior ministry in Gaza.
“You cannot escape your fate… the security services will continue to work to protect our people from the dangers of the occupation,” he added.
The execution of the death sentences in Gaza takes place in spite of legal disputes over the matter. The Palestinian Authority believes that Hamas’ courts are not competent. In addition, any executions according to Palestinian law need to be signed by the president.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, has refused to sign death sentences, even in the West Bank.
