The Knesset on Tuesday began accelerating efforts to pass the bill to bring Nukhba terrorists to trial, which was spearheaded by Constitution Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party) and MK Yulia Malinovsky (Yisrael Beiteinu).
The push comes as Phase I of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan concludes in Gaza.
Beyond formal committee discussions, additional meetings are being held to ensure that the main deliberations proceed smoothly and efficiently, including opposition members in the decision-making process.
On Wednesday, a small forum will take place with MKs Rothman, Malinovsky, and Karin Elharar, Yoav Segalovitz, and Minister Yariv Levin.
Where will the special tribunal be located?
Under the proposed legislation, a special tribunal will be established to try the Nukhba terrorists. As planning progresses, the bill’s sponsors asked the IDF Planning and Construction Directorate to assess the feasibility of holding the hearings in the Gaza border area.
However, this option faces challenges that may result in a change of direction, since it creates the need for the terrorists’ lawyers to travel from Palestinian Authority territory and to cross into Israel.
Ofer Prison is also under consideration as a possible location for the trial. But another set of difficulties arises with this option, since the facility is located beyond the Green Line. Additional locations proposed by the IDF include Qalandiya Camp, Salem Camp, and Ketziot Camp.
Preparations for the hearings and legislative schedule
The court proceedings are expected to be broadcast live, except for hearings designated as classified. The defendants will be heavily guarded during the sessions, and preparations are underway for the participation of the October 7 victims.
The goal of the bill’s sponsors is to complete its passage in the second and third readings in the Knesset plenum by the end of the current winter session.