GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The General Prosecution Office in Gaza announced Oct. 30 that First Instance Courts in the provinces of Gaza, Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip issued six death sentences in October against people convicted of murder, bringing the total number of death sentences in Gaza during 2016 to 16.

Of these sentences, 12 were issued by military courts and four were rendered by civil courts. Three of them were executed in May 2016 without prior ratification by the Palestinian president in a clear violation of the Palestinian Basic Law of 2003. Article 109 of this law specifies that “a death sentence pronounced by any court may not be implemented unless ratified by the president of the Palestinian National Authority.”

But ever since he came to power, President Mahmoud Abbas has been refraining from ratifying death sentences for legal and human rights considerations.

Hamas-appointed Attorney General Ismail Jaber told Al-Monitor, “During the month of October, the General Prosecution Office was able to obtain six death sentences by the Courts of First Instance in the Gaza Strip against defendants convicted of murder.” He stressed the need to issue deterrent sentences against criminals, especially in cases that affect the security and stability of society.