Israel approves special death-penalty court for Oct. 7 attackers

In a 93-0 vote (27 absent or abstaining), Israel’s Knesset approved a bill to create a special tribunal that could sentence Palestinians convicted of taking part in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 attack to death, with trials livestreamed in Jerusalem and appeals heard by a separate court. Rights groups criticize the move as eroding fair-trial protections, and supporters say it reflects a broad consensus on accountability for the attack. The measure is separate from a March law expanding the death penalty for Palestinians who murder Israelis and is not retroactive to Oct. 7 suspects; the ongoing Gaza war continues to drive a high casualty toll.