A new law allowing the death penalty for Palestinians found guilty of deadly attacks began in the occupied West Bank on Sunday. The law was signed by Major General Avi Bluth, head of Israel's Central Command. Israel has not used the death penalty for over sixty years, so this is a major change in its legal policy.

The law means that military courts must now give a death sentence by hanging to those who kill Israeli citizens for political reasons. Life imprisonment is possible only in special cases, decided by the court.

The law has received strong criticism from international organisations and human rights groups. They say it is unfair and goes against international standards. Some groups have already appealed to Israel's High Court, and the government must answer these legal challenges by late May.