GAZA: Gaza’s ruling Hamas Islamists executed five Palestinians, two of them on charges of espionage for Israel that dated back to 2015 and 2009, Interior Ministry said. Dawn executions, by hanging or firing squad, were first in Palestinian territories since 2017.

Past cases of capital punishment being carried out in Gaza have drawn criticism from human rights groups. Ministry statement did not provide full names for any of condemned men. It said three had been convicted of murder. Two convicted spies, aged 44 and 54, had given Israel information that led to killing of Palestinians, it said. Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which oversees country’s intelligence services, declined comment. “Execution was carried out after conclusion of all legal procedures. Rulings had been final, with implementation mandatory, after all of convicted were accorded full rights to defend themselves,” statement said.

Palestinian and international human rights groups have condemned death penalty and urged Hamas and Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-government in Israeli-occupied West Bank, to end practice. Palestinian law says President Mahmoud Abbas has final word on whether executions can be carried out. But he has no effective rule in Gaza.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 05 2022

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