Gaza Herald – The Israeli Knesset approved on Monday, in its second and third readings, a controversial bill targeting Palestinians accused of involvement in the October 7, 2023, authorizing the possibility of imposing death sentences and permanently barring their release in future prisoner exchange deals.
The legislation reportedly passed with the support of 93 Knesset members and was introduced by Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chair Simcha Rothman and MK Yulia Malinovsky. It now takes effect as binding law following final approval.
According to the text of the law, individuals defined by Israeli authorities as perpetrators of “the most severe crimes” may be prosecuted in military courts and face capital punishment. The law also stipulates that those convicted under its provisions would not be eligible for release under any future agreements or negotiations.
Israeli media reports indicate that the legislation effectively ensures lifelong detention without the possibility of release, even in the context of political settlements or prisoner exchange deals.
Human rights groups have warned that the law could enable trials that fall short of international fair-trial standards and further entrench an exceptional legal framework governing Palestinian detainees.
Legal analysts and prisoners’ rights advocates have also cautioned that the move may pave the way for special military tribunals empowered to issue death sentences, raising concerns over due process and judicial independence.
The decision comes amid the continued detention of thousands of Palestinians in Israeli detention camps, including detainees from Gaza, while Palestinian institutions estimate the total number of prisoners and detainees has risen to more than 9,400 as of May 2026.
