Responding to severe criticism by international human rights groups for executing two Palestinians alleged to have “collaborated” with Israel, a Hamas spokesman promised that there will be more killings in the future. Fathi Hamad, a minister in the Hamas government that controls the Gaza Strip, told reporters on Monday that, “If there is a death sentence we will implement it immediately in order to preserve our people and its project of jihad (holy war) and liberation.” The prisoners executed last week were two of an estimated 14 being held under death sentences for spying for Israel or collaborating with the Jewish state. The executions – by firing squad – were the first carried out since Hamas came to power in 2007. Under Palestinian law, all executions must be approved by the president of the Palestinian Authority. But Hamas does not recognize the legality of the P.A., claiming its mandate ended last year. Rights groups accuse Hamas of denying the prisoners fair hearings.
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