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Israel Creates Special Military Tribunal for Oct. 7 Suspects With Death Penalty Option

Rights groups warn the measure erodes fair-trial safeguards.

Overview

  • The Knesset, which voted 93–0 on Monday, approved a law establishing a Jerusalem-based military court to try suspects from the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack.
  • The court can impose death sentences for convictions such as genocide under Israel’s 1950 Prevention of Genocide law.
  • Hearings will be public, with audio and video records, and key sessions will stream on a dedicated website.
  • Officials say the tribunal will handle roughly 300–400 detainees captured in Israel on Oct. 7.
  • The law bars releasing Oct. 7 suspects in prisoner exchanges, and legal groups predict due-process violations and likely Supreme Court challenges that could slow the start of trials.