Netanyahu approves law to put Hamas elite fighters on trial

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a proposal to put fighters from Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades on trial. At the same time, he rejected a separate push by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to include them under a broader death penalty law that the minister is promoting, according to Yedioth Ahronoth (Ynet).

The proposal was submitted by Knesset member Simcha Rothman from the far-right Religious Zionism party and Knesset member Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beiteinu party. 

According to Ynet, the proposal is expected to be brought to a first reading vote in the Knesset (parliament) next week.

Under the draft law, a military court would be set up with unprecedented powers. 

The trials would be broadcast on a dedicated website, and the charges brought against the elite fighters could carry the death sentence. Some of the fighters are expected to face charges including “murder, rape, kidnapping and looting”.

The military court would be given exceptional authority to depart from standard legal procedures. This would be aimed at protecting victims and their families, keeping trial sessions confidential, and safeguarding the public interest.

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