The European Union condemned the death sentences issued by Hamas last week against seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which have taken the total number of the death penalty in the enclave to 20 this year. 

These include 12 new sentences and eight confirmations of past sentences. 

In a statement released on Friday, the EU called on "the de facto authorities in Gaza to comply with the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ratified by Palestine in 2019, which aims at the abolition of the death penalty."

The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah added that this is part of the bodies "firm opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and in all countries," describing it as an "unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity."