Hamas warns of 'grave consequences' from new Israeli law allowing death sentences for members

Hamas warned of "grave consequences" on Tuesday from a new Israeli law establishing a special military court for group members and granting it the power to issue death sentences, calling the measure "a dangerous escalation" and a "new crime" against Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Knesset passed the law Monday evening after approving it in its second and third readings, establishing a special military court for Hamas "elite force" members.

'Vengeful and racist nature'

The law "reveals the vengeful and racist nature of the occupation system," Hamas said in a statement. It warned that the legislation represents "a dangerous escalation and a new crime added to the occupation's record of war crimes and systematic violations against our people." "The Israeli government seeks through this law to legalize the killing of prisoners and turn courts into tools of revenge and abuse," it said.

Violation of international law

Hamas said the law's "exceptional powers" for military courts and its permission to bypass rules of procedure and evidence reflect Israel's departure from "standards of justice and fair trials." The law constitutes "a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions, foremost among them the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law," Hamas said.

Prisoner exchange concerns

Hamas warned that the legislation also reflects Israel's attempts "to evade any future prisoner exchange deals" by explicitly excluding detainees held after the Israeli war on Gaza from any release agreements. The group called on the UN, ICC and international human rights organizations to act urgently to stop the legislation.

Historical context

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the law would form the legal basis for unprecedented trials, the largest and most significant in Israel since the trial of Nazi official Adolf Eichmann. The Israeli army has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. More than 9,600 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli prisons.