The Hamas-run Ministry Of Interior in the Gaza Strip announced Saturday that it executed three Palestinians who were previously sentenced to death by hanging, and added that one of them was convicted of treason for collaborating with Israel, and two were convicted murder.The ministry said that resident (W. J) was executed after being sentenced to death by the Permanent Military Court in Gaza in accordance with Article number 131 of the Revolutionary Penal Code of 1979, in addition to being convicted of second degree murder in accordance with article number 88/A of the Revolutionary Penal Code of 1979.
The Ministry also executed resident M. B. after a court in Dir Al-Balah sentenced him to death after finding him guilty of first degree murder in accordance with articles number 214, 215 and 216 of the Penal Code of 1936. He was also found guilty of carrying “a harmful tool” in accordance with article 89 of the Penal Code of 1936.
Resident M. A, was executed after a court in Khan Younis convicted him of first degree murder in accordance with articles 214 and 215 of the Penal Code of 1936, and also convicted of kidnapping in accordance with articles 254 and 255 of the year 1936.
The resident was also found “guilty of engaging in a homosexual act with a boy under the age of 16”, according to article number 152 of the Penal Code of 1936, and was also convicted of carrying “a harmful tool” in accordance with article 89 of the Penal Code of 1936.
The Hamas-controlled ministry said that the families of the victims “asked if they want to spare the lives of the convicts, but they demanding their execution”.
The Ministry said that the executions were conducted after all appeals were denied by appeal courts, and that the defendants were granted the right to defend themselves.
Hamas executed several Palestinians convicted of murder or treason without acquiring the approval of Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, as the president must grant his signed approval before a resident, sentenced to death, is executed.
These executions are carried out despite repeated objections by Palestinian Human Rights groups, and human rights defenders.
In one of its various documents and statements against capital punishment, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, based in Gaza, said that the death penalty is the most extreme form of torture, cruel and inhumane treatment and punishment.
