Israeli Parliament Enacts Law Creating Special Army Court for Hamas Cases

(MENAFN) The Israeli parliament has approved legislation establishing a dedicated military court system to handle cases involving individuals described by Israel as members of Hamas’s so-called “elite force,” according to reports.

The bill, which was initially passed in a preliminary vote in January, was introduced by lawmakers Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party and Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beiteinu. It has now completed its legislative process after passing second and third readings in the Knesset, officially becoming law.

The measure was adopted with the support of 93 lawmakers and recorded no votes against or abstentions, indicating broad parliamentary backing.

According to reports, Israeli media described the law as paving the way for large-scale and highly significant legal proceedings, comparing the anticipated trials in scale and importance to historical cases such as the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the most prominent post–World War II war crimes prosecutions.

The legislation is intended to provide a legal framework for prosecuting individuals detained in connection with the events of October 7, 2023, whom Israeli authorities have labeled as members of Hamas’s elite units, though many have not yet been formally tried.

Hamas has not issued an official response to the new law.

Human rights organizations cited in reports estimate that thousands of Palestinian detainees are currently held in Israeli custody, including women and minors, and have raised concerns about detention conditions, allegations of mistreatment, and reported deaths in custody.

The development adds another legal dimension to the ongoing conflict and reflects continued escalation in judicial and security measures related to the war.

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