Hamas Sentences Man to Death by Hanging for ‘Collaborating With Israel’
by Zach Pontz
A court in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip has sentenced a man to death by hanging for “collaborating with Israel,” Ma’an News Agency reported Tuesday.
Under Palestinian law, “collaboration with Israel” is punishable by death. However, all execution orders must be approved by the sitting president before they can be carried out. Hamas no longer recognizes the legitimacy of incumbent PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, whose four-year term ended in 2009, meaning the execution is likely to go forward, unchecked.
Earlier in the year Hamas announced that it would offer amnesty to any individuals who came forward and admitted collusion with Israel. Following the conclusion of the amnesty period, Hamas hanged two Palestinians it accused and found guilty of spying for Israel.
Hamas has also announced it plans to publicly execute more “collaborators” in the coming months, in celebration of the recent Eid al-Fitr Muslim holiday.