The Christian Science Monitor shines a spotlight on the Hamas witch hunt for collaborators. With hundreds of people arrested, fear and distrust are everywhere. And human rights are out the window.
Gazans were astounded not only by the number or arrests, but by who was arrested. Prominent figures in society, including many doctors, were reportedly among those caught in the sweep. As the hunt for spies continues, Gazans say the revelation of the network’s reach is eroding trust between neighbors, coworkers – even family members . . . .
Many of those accused of collaborating are tortured, and Mr. Younis says confessions extracted by coercion or torture are common. Additionally, collaborators are tried in military, rather than civilian courts, which Younis says deprives them of rights. And the Hamas government’s execution of collaborators is done technically outside the law, since the law requires a death sentence be authorized by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. That hasn’t been obtained because of the split between Hamas and Fatah.
Because of the secrecy surrounding the campaign, it is also unclear whether the government is using it to punish political enemies.
It's not the kind of dispatch Hamas wants you to read, so be sure to read it all.
