An Israeli soldier faces just a 45-day jail term for the killing of two Gaza women carrying a white flag, under a plea bargain with a military court yesterday, the army and local media said.
The sniper, identified by Israeli media as “staff sergeant S,” was charged with manslaughter in 2010 over the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Riyeh Abu Hajaj and her daughter Majda Abu Hajaj, 37, during Israel’s 22-day aggression against the Gaza Strip that started in late December 2008.
But the Israeli military said the charge had yesterday been reduced from manslaughter to using a weapon illegally.
Under the deal, “S” would be jailed for 45 days, media reports said.
According to a report by Israeli rights group B’Tselem, the incident occurred on January 4, 2009, when the Abu Hajaj family evacuated their home after it was hit by an Israeli tank shell.
“When they saw tanks about 150 meters from them, two of them waved the (white) flags, and the children in the group sat on the ground,” B’Tselem said.
“Suddenly, and without warning, shots were fired at the residents, killing Majda Abu Hajaj on the spot. Her mother, Riyeh Abu Hajaj, was severely wounded by the gunfire,” it said. She later died of her wounds.
Israeli justice: 45-day jail for killing 2 Gaza women
