Israel Charges Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh with Incitement
Israel’s State Attorney has formally charged Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, the sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, with incitement and expressing solidarity with the militant group.
Background on Ismail Haniyeh
Ismail Haniyeh is a prominent figure associated with the Hamas group and served as the head of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip from 2007 to 2014.
In June 2007, following a series of violent clashes between Hamas and Fatah, Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, effectively splitting the Palestinian territories into two separate entities: Hamas-controlled Gaza and Fatah-controlled areas in the West Bank. Haniyeh remained the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza and established a Hamas government there.
Details of the Charges
Sabah al-Salem Haniyeh, aged 57 and residing in Tel Sheva, Israel, has been in custody since her arrest on April 1, according to Israel’s justice ministry.
The indictment stated that following the deadly attack by Hamas in southern Israel, Haniyeh communicated with numerous individuals, including her brother, expressing admiration for the assault and advocating for further violence and ‘slaughter’.
One of the messages cited in the indictment reads, “Oh God, count them and kill them and don’t leave any of them, Oh God.”
Consequences of the October 7 Attack
The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the killing of nearly 1,200 Israelis. The assault triggered a massive escalation by Israel which further resulted in many hostilities in Gaza.
