Hamas sentenced three Palestinians to death for their involvement in the assassination of a Hamas senior commander.
Sunday’s verdicts are final and can’t be appealed according to the rules of the so-called “military field tribunal.” The week-long trial was the first to be held since Hamas took over Gaza by force in 2007.
The commnder, Mazen Fuqaha, was assassinated in March in what Hamas claims was a Mossad hit.
Since Fuqaha’s assassination near his home on March 24, the Hamas leadership has vowed to carry out a revenge attack against Israel.
Fuqaha’s mysterious killing dealt a blow to Hamas, which has prided itself on setting up a security system immune to Israeli intelligence.
Some 45 alleged Israeli collaborators were arrested in a sweeping manhunt conducted by Hamas after the shooting, the largest sweep since Hamas seized power.
Hamas recently executed three Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel.
Fuqaha was serving nine life terms in Israeli prison for masterminding a suicide bombing that claimed the lives of nine people and wounded many more. However, he was among 1,027 prisoners released in exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, after which he returned to Gaza.
Fuqaha was reportedly in the midst of planning terror attacks against Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria when shot.
Israeli officials have denied involvement in the killing of Fuqaha.
Hamas has repeatedly been condemned for multiple human rights violations. Human rights groups have called on Hamas to place a moratorium on the death penalty in Gaza, saying these verdicts do not serve justice and the rule of law.
By: World Israel News Staff
AP contributed to this report.