Israel Approves Tribunal for 400 Hamas Suspects, Allowing Death Penalty for October 7 Crimes
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 11
Israel Approves Tribunal for 400 Hamas Suspects, Allowing Death Penalty for October 7 Crimes
12 articles · Updated · CNN · May 11
A 93-0 vote in Israel’s parliament cleared a special military tribunal to prosecute about 400 Hamas Nukhba Force operatives held over the October 7, 2023 attack.
The law allows death sentences for convictions on genocide charges and covers alleged murder, sexual violence, abduction, looting and crimes against hostages taken into Gaza.
Jerusalem will host the court, with panels led by sitting or retired district judges; proceedings will be public, recorded and partly broadcast, though trials may start only after several months.
Adalah called the tribunal incompatible with the right to life and judicial independence, while the law also directs that defense costs be deducted from funds transferred to the Palestinian Authority.
The move targets suspects tied to an assault that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages, reviving a death-penalty debate that has drawn foreign and Palestinian criticism.
As Israel tries Hamas for genocide, can its one-sided tribunal be considered legitimate justice?
Is Israel's new death penalty tribunal a modern Nuremberg or a politically motivated 'show trial'?
Israel’s 2026 Special Military Tribunal: Legal, Political, and Human Rights Implications of Capital Punishment for October 7 Atrocities
Overview
On May 11, 2026, the Israeli Knesset passed a law with overwhelming bipartisan support to establish a special military tribunal. This court, jointly initiated by coalition and opposition lawmakers, is tasked with trying Palestinian individuals accused of atrocities during the October 7, 2023, invasion. Operating within the military justice system, the tribunal includes a key provision: those convicted will not be eligible for release in future hostage deals. This reflects a strong political will to ensure accountability and prevent prisoner exchanges for those involved in the attacks, marking a significant shift in Israel’s legal and security approach.