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Gaza court sentences 'collaborators' to death

December 3, 2018

Rights groups have criticized the death sentences, saying they "smack of militia rule, not the rule of law." But a Hamas official said the court decision shows Israel can't protect its Palestinian "collaborators."

https://p.dw.com/p/39Ky3
Silhouette of Palestinians waving flags
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Saber

A Gazan military court on Monday sentenced 14 people for "collaborating" with Israel. Six of the people were sentenced to death, including one woman, while the others were imprisoned for up to 10 years, said Gaza's interior ministry.

"Collaborators must realize the (Israeli) occupation will not be able to protect them," said Iyad al-Bozum, interior ministry spokesman in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Human Rights Watch condemned the death sentences, saying they "smack of militia rule, not the rule of law."

It is unclear whether some of the defendants were linked to a botched Israeli operation in Gaza last month that triggered the worst violence between Israel and Hamas since the 2014 war.

Worst escalation in years

In November, a special forces unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an operation in Gaza. Israeli media reported on Monday that the soldiers posed as NGO workers using Palestinian identity cards, citing a report by British newspaper The Independent.

The botched operation led to a firefight with Palestinian forces, which killed one Israeli soldier. The incident sparked a heated escalation between Israel and Hamas, with both sides launching attacks.

Days later, a ceasefire backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prompted then-Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman to resign.

Read more: Deadlocked and divided: What now for the Palestinians?

For or against Hamas?

The court decision comes as the international community increases pressure on Hamas to end its attacks on Israel. The UN General Assembly is expected to pass a US-drafted resolution condemning the ruling Islamist movement.

"Each country will be asked to vote for or against the activities of Hamas, along with other militant groups like Palestinian Islamic Jihad," the US mission to the UN said in a statement. "If the US cannot bring itself to adopt this resolution, then it has no business being involved in peace discussions."

Read more: 'Deal of the century': US pushes Israeli-Palestinian plan

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Saeb Erekat on Conflict Zone

ls/jm (AFP, dpa)