Hamas calls on suspected collaborators

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GAZA, March 13 (UPI) -- The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza called on Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel to surrender by April 1, officials said.

"Collaborators must contact dignitaries to help them turn themselves over to the security service," the Ma'an news agency quoted Muhammed Lafi of the Interior Ministry saying Tuesday.

Those who surrender won't be detained or subjected to interrogation, Lafi said.

"This campaign against collaborators isn't purely a security campaign, as it also has a social element. We do not discriminate between them according to their political affiliation and we will provide them with information to make sure they can make right their mistakes and thus protect resistance fighters," Lafi said.

He said the ministry has a list alleged collaborators, adding the aim is to "reinforce society," against Israeli efforts to recruit Palestinians.

Gaza courts have handed out 30 death sentences to suspected collaborators since 2007, the news agency said. During Israel's military operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza last year, Palestinian gunmen killed six suspected collaborators, dragging their bodies through the streets, the agency said.