Israel Builds Special Military Tribunal to Prosecute October 7 Attacks

The Government of Israel is establishing a dedicated military tribunal in Atarot, northern Jerusalem, to prosecute hundreds of defendants for the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. The Knesset approved the legal framework in May, allowing the court to hear cases involving war crimes and crimes against humanity, with the potential for death penalty sentences.

The Cabinet of Israel allocated over NIS 1 billion for 2026 through 2029 to fund the construction of a complex featuring nine courtrooms and support for up to 15 judicial panels. Site bulldozing has already begun, as announced by Simcha Rotman, Chairman of the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee.

Legal proceedings will be managed by the Military Prosecution of Israel, following discussions led by Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara. The military prosecution will take over case files from a dedicated investigation team established by the State Attorney's Office of Israel in October 2023. Officials expect a witness pool of up to 12,000 people.

Despite the commencement of construction, the first trials are not expected to begin before 2028. This timeline allows authorities to transfer files and develop evidentiary models for complex crimes, including sexual violence.