A proposed law that would establish a special tribunal to prosecute crimes committed during the October 7 attacks and the days immediately following is set to go before the Knesset for a vote. The legislation would apply to offenses carried out between October 7 and October 10, 2023, including murder, rape, kidnapping and looting, defining them as crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The bill would also cover crimes committed after that period against individuals abducted from Israel to Gaza, including hostages who were killed in captivity. Indictments would be filed in a special military court in Jerusalem created specifically to handle these cases.

Under the proposal, the court would be empowered to try additional October 7-related offenses under laws addressing genocide prevention, offenses against state sovereignty and counterterrorism measures. The legislation would allow the court to impose the death penalty not only for murder but also for crimes such as rape.