Terrorist Who Murdered Two Israelis Dies in Prison

Atef Sbeih, a terrorist convicted of murdering Israeli teenager Danny Katz and soldier Dafna Carmon, died on Thursday in a hospital. Sbeih, who never expressed remorse for his actions, had been serving multiple life sentences.

Katz, 14, disappeared from his home in Haifa on December 8, 1983. His body was found three days later with signs of violence. Sbeih and four other Arabs were arrested for the murder. Three confessed and implicated Sbeih, who initially denied involvement but was convicted along with another suspect and sentenced to life imprisonment. Following a lengthy legal battle, a retrial in 2000 resulted in their second conviction.

Sbeih was also arrested with three family members for the 1982 murder of soldier Dafna Carmon. He received a life sentence plus 15 years for that crime. Their request for a retrial in the Carmon case was denied.

Sbeih had previously applied for a presidential pardon after serving 37 years in prison, but his request was summarily rejected. Before his arrest, Sbeih worked as a tractor driver and in security roles at Israel Railways, Haifa University, and construction sites.