Israeli parliament passes law to punish perpetrators of October 7 attack

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has finally approved a law aimed at prosecuting terrorists involved in the October 7 attack, Israeli journalist Amit Segal wrote on Telegram.

A total of 93 lawmakers voted in favour of the legislation, including members of both the governing coalition and the opposition.

Under the law, judges will be allowed to impose the death penalty on individuals found guilty of taking part in the attack. In addition, those convicted under the legislation will not be eligible for release, even as part of potential hostage exchange agreements.

The legislation follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, when armed militants crossed the border and carried out coordinated attacks on military sites and civilian communities, killing and abducting people

The attack resulted in hundreds of deaths and the taking of hostages, triggering a large-scale military response by Israel and marking the beginning of the ongoing Gaza war.

Since then, the region has experienced continuous hostilities, with sustained Israeli operations in Gaza and widespread international concern over the humanitarian impact and regional stability.

By Jeyhun Aghazada