It was the first time this year that the Islamist movement had carried out an execution of someone accused of “collaborating” with the Israelis. The ministry statement did not give the men’s names, ages or any other information.

However, Hamas security sources identified the “collaborator” as Mohammed Garboh from Bureij refugee camp, and the other two men as Mohammed Abdeen from Khan Yunis and Mohammed Baraka of Deir Al-Balah.

London-based human rights organization Amnesty International said on Thursday that a fourth man was currently on death row.

The last time the death sentence for aiding Israel was carried out was in July 2011, when two Palestinians were executed on the charge.

A month later, three more people were executed on charges unrelated to collaboration, rights groups say.

Israeli security forces routinely use Palestinian informers to thwart attacks and assist in the assassination of top fighters.

In March, a military court in Gaza condemned to death a 27-year-old Palestinian convicted of “treason” for allegedly cooperating with Israel, but did not publish his name.

Since the start of this year, the authorities in Gaza have announced two other death sentences, one against a man convicted of collaborating with Israel and the other found guilty of killing his brother.

It was not clear if either or both of those were hanged yesterday. Under Palestinian law, collaboration with Israel, murder and drug trafficking are all punishable by death. In recent months, Hamas has arrested several alleged collaborators, and warned it would prosecute any “traitor” working for the Jewish state.

Meanwhile, the World Bank says they've earmarked $55 million for Palestinian development this year. Mariam Sherman, country director for the West Bank and Gaza, said yesterday the money will be used to assist businesses, help graduates and support Palestinian government institutions.

But Sherman says for real growth to happen, Israel's system of restrictions on movement of Palestinian people and goods needs to be eased.

The World Bank says Israel should also share tax information and make other changes.

Sherman says projections for 2012 show a slowdown in Palestinian growth, mostly because donor aid, used to pump up the Palestinian public spending, is declining.

Israeli officials say restrictions are to ensure security, and that they've eased some measures in recent years.