Israel sentences Gaza fighter to 15 years in prison

Published March 24th, 2015 - 05:59 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

An Israeli court sentenced a Palestinian man to 15 and a half years in prison for fighting for Hamas in the 50-day Gaza war last summer, AFP reported.

Mohammed Abu Zaraj was tried in the Beersheba district court in southern Israel. The man, in his 20s, was caught by the Israeli army during the conflict and arrested for fighting in Hamas' military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

Zaraj admitted to charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a crime, weapon offenses and membership of a banned organization, according to AFP. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization in Israel, as well as in other countries like the US and Egypt. 

The court transcript stated Zaraj was waiting to ambush Israeli troops on Aug. 27, after he and his squad set up "explosive charges" and waited for them to detonate upon the soldiers' arrival.  

The transcript said one other man in the squad had been charged, but details were unconfirmed.

 

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content