Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
Report: Hamas Execution of Officer Accused of Spying for Israel Sparks Defections From Terror Organization’s Military Wing
Error: Contact form not found.
by Algemeiner Staff
Fighters of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Photo: Wikipedia.
The execution of a former Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades officer has led to the defection of “several members” of Hamas’ military wing, the London-based pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Monday.
The defectors have reportedly formed their own group, “al-Qassamiyoun al-Ahrar,” and are demanding that an independent investigative committee look into the execution of Mahmud Eshtawi, which was carried out in the Gaza Strip last week, according to the report.
The new group also released a statement condemning the verdict that apparently led to Eshtawi’s execution, calling his death “a horrendous murder and a sign of great oppression,” according to Asharq al-Awsat.
The defections were the latest development in the controversy stemming from Eshtawi’s death, after his family called the execution “treachery,” and declared it was prompted by “personal” reasons, rather than Hamas’ claims that Eshtawi was spying for Israel.
Hamas announced Eshtawi’s execution and carried it out publicly after he had been held in custody for about a year. The Palestinian chapter of Human Rights Watch condemned the execution and called it “another extrajudicial killing by forces linked to Hamas,” according to the Egyptian Al Ahram newspaper.
