Hamas calls on UN to stop draft Israeli law to execute Palestinian prisoners

Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas on Monday called on the United Nations and human rights organisations to take urgent action to stop the draft law to execute Palestinian prisoners.

"We demand the formation of international committees to enter the detention centres, examine the conditions of Palestinian prisoners, and expose the atrocities committed there," the organisation said. 

The Israeli military is set to appoint a new advocate general after a scandal forced the resignation of its top lawyer, who admitted to leaking footage apparently showing soldiers raping a Palestinian detainee.

Knesset's National Security Committee approved a bill that would allow the execution of Palestinian prisoners, local media reported.

The committee referred the bill to the Knesset General Assembly for discussion and voting in the upcoming legislative session, reports said. 

Times of Israel reported that the legislation stipulates that courts will be able to impose the death penalty on those who have "committed a nationalistically motivated murder" of a citizen of Israel. It would not apply to an Israeli who killed a Palestinian.