Ramallah: An Israeli military court on Sunday sentenced a Palestinian to 54 life sentences in prison in one of the heaviest penalties ever handed to a Palestinian.
The Ofar Military Court accused Ebrahim Hamed, who the Israelis believe to be the head of Hamas’ Military Wing (Al Qassam Brigades) in the West Bank, of being responsible for the killing of 46 Israelis in several military operations.
Hamed was convicted of 46 deaths during the Second Intifada and of six attempted attacks.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club said that the court denied permission for Hamad’s relatives to attend the session.
Hamed refused to stand before the court or show any respect and told the panel of judges that the court was illegal and refused to show any remorse or regret for his actions.
Qadourah Fares, who heads the Palestinian Prisoners Club, said that the verdict passed on Hamed was unfair, tough and illegal. “The court is a mere extension of the Israeli security formula which aims at suppressing the Palestinians,” he said.
The Israeli military prosecution demanded 70 life sentences for the 47-year-old Hamed who was arrested late in 2006.
Hamed was the number one wanted Palestinian on Israeli security lists from 1995-2006.
In 2003, Hamed’s house was demolished and his wife and three children deported to Jordan.
In 2011, Israel refused to release Hamed during the prisoner swap deal.
