CBNNews.com - GAZA STRIP - For the first time since it took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, a Hamas military court sentenced a Palestinian too death for collaborating with Israel.

Gaza City resident Iyad Hamed Sukkar, 35, was found guilty of aiding Israeli security forces to locate members of Izz al-Din al-Qassam, the "military" wing of Hamas.

The Hamas military court charged Sukkar with responsibility for the deaths of two cell members killed by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). The court claimed the IDF recruited Sakkar five years ago.

Last week, a Palestinian Authority (PA) court in Jenin sentenced two Palestinians to death by firing squad -- 27-year-old Walel Saed and 22-year-old Muhammad Saed -- on the same charges -- collaborating with Israel.

PA law calls for the president to approve death sentences. Though Hamas rules the Gaza Strip, they plan to seek approval from Fatah-affiliated PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Despite the political differences [between Fatah and Hamas], we will seek the president's approval," said Ihab al-Ghissin, spokesman for the interior ministry in the Gaza Strip.

"But if Abbas refuses to approve the court's verdict for political reasons, we will seek other alternatives," he said.

Source: The Jerusalem Post