Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has passed a law establishing a special military tribunal to try hundreds of Palestinians accused of taking part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The measure was approved by a vote of 93 to none in the 120-seat parliament, with 27 lawmakers absent or abstaining. The tribunal will have the authority to sentence those convicted to death.
According to Israeli media, approximately 400 suspects are expected to stand trial before the court. Lawmakers stated that the move is intended to help heal national trauma by punishing those responsible for the deadliest single attack in Israel's history. The plan includes livestreaming the trials, drawing comparisons to the 1962 Adolf Eichmann trial.
Rights groups have criticized the measure, warning that it strips away procedures safeguarding the right to a fair trial. These groups argue that the law makes the death penalty too easy to impose and have raised fears of show trials and executions.