Palestinian law requires the approval of President Abbas to execute the death sentence. But everything in Gaza is now ruled by Hamas. HRW and local NGOs accuse the Islamist movement of summary executions to suppress opposition.

Gaza (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The authorities of the Islamic movement Hamas, which govern in Gaza, carried out death sentences on two Palestinians this morning for having collaborated with Israel during the Cast Lead operation in the winter 2008-2009. Many global and local humanitarian organizations demanded a halt to the executions.  

According to the Hamas interior ministry, the two were "Mohammad Ibrahim Ismail (37), originally from Rafah, and Nasser Salameh Abu Freih (34) originally Jabaliya. The two were brought before a firing squad and their bodies later transferred to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza.   According to Palestinian human rights organizations, 15 others have been convicted of collaborating with Israel.

Observers point out that this is the first time an execution has taken place with the consent of justice in Gaza, without complying with the law requiring the approval of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to carry out the death sentence. But because of a conflict between Fatah and Hamas since 2007, Gaza is actually ruled by the Islamic militants.  

After the war in Gaza, Hamas has carried out several extrajudicial executions. In 2009, Human Rights Watch has accused Hamas of killing 32 opponents and suspected collaborators and of having “mutilated" dozens. Other human rights organizations in Gaza have demanded that Hamas stop all these executions, which are seen as a way to eliminate its opponents.

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• hamas
• gaza
• execution
• israel
• collaborators
• war