Hamas Killed One of its Own Commanders Over Unnamed ‘Moral and Behavioral Violations’

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says it has killed one of its own commanders over unnamed “moral and behavioral violations.”

The Islamic militant group, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, said in a short Twitter statement Sunday that Mahmoud Eshtewi was killed after he confessed.

During periods of fighting against Israel, Hamas has killed dozens of Palestinians accused of spying.

But Hamas is not known to have killed its own members during peacetime, and the vague language used in the statement indicated Eshtewi was killed for reasons other than spying.

Eshtewi’s family said he was not found guilty of spying, without providing further details.

Eshtewi was detained by Hamas in January of last year.