HAMAS ANNOUNCED yesterday that two Palestinians convicted by a military tribunal of collaborating with Israel had been executed by firing squad. These were the first death sentences carried out by Hamas since the movement seized power in Gaza in June 2007. The last death sentences in Gaza were imposed by the Palestinian Authority in 2005 when five murderers were executed.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemned the executions of Muhammad Ibrahim Ismail (37), of Rafah in the south, and former policeman Nasser Abu Freih (34), of Jabaliya in the north.
While affirming the government’s duty to prosecute collaborators, the PCHR, which receives funds from Irish Aid, reiterated its rejection of the death penalty as a “violation of the right to life and a form of torture and cruel and inhumane treatment.”
Under Palestinian law, death sentences can be imposed only with the president’s approval. But Hamas ceased to recognise President Mahmoud Abbas after his term expired in January 2009. He also heads the ousted Fatah faction which administers the West Bank.
Following the takeover by Hamas, Mr Abbas suspended Palestinian Authority security and judicial operations in Gaza, creating a legal vacuum in the territory. Although he has not authorised executions in the West Bank, his security forces have been blamed for the deaths of detained Hamas members.
On March 24th, Gaza attorney general Muhammad Abed announced that Gaza’s prosecutors had begun ratifying death sentences for prisoners convicted of collaborating with Israel and people selling drugs. Referring to the latter, he said: “We have the right to hasten the execution of those who are willing to kill their own people.”
Amnesty International called on Hamas not to carry out the sentences of the 14 people condemned to death in 2009 for collaboration, treason and murder. The organisation said the security forces and legal bodies created by Hamas lack trained personnel, accountability and safeguards.
Human Rights Watch accused Hamas of killing at least 32 suspected collaborators and political opponents during last year’s Israeli offensive against Gaza.
Israel makes wide use of Palestinian informants in both Gaza and the West Bank, some of whom are prisoners released on condition that they spy for Israel’s internal intelligence agency. Israel says informants enable its security services to pre-empt attacks.
