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Hamas executes 11 suspected informers Hamas executes 18 suspected informers
(about 1 hour later)
Hamas has executed 11 suspected informers a day after three of its senior military commanders were killed in an Israeli air strike that was probably carried out on the basis of intelligence provided by collaborators. Hamas has executed 18 suspected informers a day after three of its senior military commanders were killed in an Israeli air strike that was probably carried out on the basis of intelligence provided by collaborators.
According to a Hamas official, the men were killed at a Gaza police station following a court trial and sentencing. However, it is unlikely that a fair judicial process was followed. Pictures circulating on the internet showed bodies lying in pools of blood. According to a Hamas official, 11 were killed at a Gaza police station following a court trial and sentencing. However, it is unlikely that a fair judicial process was followed. Pictures circulating on the internet showed bodies lying in pools of blood. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said two of the dead were women.
The Hamas-affiliated website Al Rai said the 11 were killed by firing squad on Friday morning and warned that "the same punishment will be imposed soon on others". Later in the day, seven men were killed outside Gaza City's al-Omari mosque after noon prayers.
It suggested a link between the killing of the alleged informers and Israel's targeting of top Hamas leaders, saying that "the current circumstances forced us to take such decisions". The Hamas-affiliated website Al Rai warned that "the same punishment will be imposed soon on others". It suggested a link between the killing of the alleged informers and Israel's targeting of top Hamas leaders, saying that "the current circumstances forced us to take such decisions".
Three other alleged informers were executed on Thursday.Three other alleged informers were executed on Thursday.
Collaboration with Israel is punishable by death under Palestinian law, although executions need presidential approval. Hamas has repeatedly carried out summary executions, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and international human rights organisations.Collaboration with Israel is punishable by death under Palestinian law, although executions need presidential approval. Hamas has repeatedly carried out summary executions, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and international human rights organisations.
Israeli intelligence services rely heavily on informers in both Gaza and the West Bank. Sometimes individuals are coerced or blackmailed into becoming collaborators; sometimes the motive is financial. If exposed they risk death, and their families – whether they knew or not – are ostracised.Israeli intelligence services rely heavily on informers in both Gaza and the West Bank. Sometimes individuals are coerced or blackmailed into becoming collaborators; sometimes the motive is financial. If exposed they risk death, and their families – whether they knew or not – are ostracised.
The killing of three military commanders was a blow to Hamas after weeks in which senior political and military figures had avoided being targeted by the Israel Defence Forces, largely by keeping underground in a network of bunkers and tunnels and refraining from using mobile phones.The killing of three military commanders was a blow to Hamas after weeks in which senior political and military figures had avoided being targeted by the Israel Defence Forces, largely by keeping underground in a network of bunkers and tunnels and refraining from using mobile phones.
The fate of Mohammed Deif, the chief of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, is still unclear following an air strike on a house in Gaza City on Tuesday that killed his wife and two children. Israeli officials said they were confident that Deif had died in the blast, but no conclusive evidence was produced.The fate of Mohammed Deif, the chief of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, is still unclear following an air strike on a house in Gaza City on Tuesday that killed his wife and two children. Israeli officials said they were confident that Deif had died in the blast, but no conclusive evidence was produced.
Ismail Haniyeh, the most senior Hamas politician in Gaza, said in a statement that "despite the pain" of losing the military commanders, "the history of the Hamas movement has proven more than once that it is stronger after every targeted killing of one of its senior members. After a senior operative is killed, we immediately continue on our path without hesitating or stepping back."Ismail Haniyeh, the most senior Hamas politician in Gaza, said in a statement that "despite the pain" of losing the military commanders, "the history of the Hamas movement has proven more than once that it is stronger after every targeted killing of one of its senior members. After a senior operative is killed, we immediately continue on our path without hesitating or stepping back."
Rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli air strikes continued on Friday, but at a relatively low intensity. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict shifted from Cairo to New York, with a United Nations security council resolution drafted by the UK, France and Germany securing US support.Rocket fire from Gaza and Israeli air strikes continued on Friday, but at a relatively low intensity. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict shifted from Cairo to New York, with a United Nations security council resolution drafted by the UK, France and Germany securing US support.
According to reports in the Israeli media, the text calls for an immediate cessation of fighting, the opening of crossings in and out of Gaza, international supervision to prevent weapons smuggling and the construction of tunnels, and the Palestinian Authority to be the governing authority. No date has been set for debating and voting on the proposal.According to reports in the Israeli media, the text calls for an immediate cessation of fighting, the opening of crossings in and out of Gaza, international supervision to prevent weapons smuggling and the construction of tunnels, and the Palestinian Authority to be the governing authority. No date has been set for debating and voting on the proposal.
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, was in Qatar meeting the Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal to push him to return to a ceasefire and to encourage Qatar to support Egyptian efforts to mediate a truce, a Palestinian official said. Abbas was set to travel to Egypt later on Friday to meet Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss ceasefire efforts, the official added.The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, was in Qatar meeting the Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal to push him to return to a ceasefire and to encourage Qatar to support Egyptian efforts to mediate a truce, a Palestinian official said. Abbas was set to travel to Egypt later on Friday to meet Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss ceasefire efforts, the official added.