Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering Woman in Front of Daughter

A man identified as Nidal Dagher has been sentenced to life imprisonment plus two years for the 2021 murder of Rasha Sitawi in her home in Majar. The court also convicted Dagher of child abuse, recognizing the murder committed in front of Sitawi's 10-year-old daughter as a separate act of severe psychological abuse.

Dagher planned the murder, using a scooter without a license plate and a handgun to shoot Sitawi at close range. The victim's daughter was present during the attack and reportedly tried to hide behind her mother. The court emphasized that the murder witnessed by the child constituted a distinct act with devastating psychological consequences, warranting additional punishment beyond the mandatory life sentence.

In addition to the prison sentences, Dagher was ordered to pay NIS 258,000 in compensation to the victim's family. Of this amount, NIS 100,000 was allocated to the daughter who witnessed the murder, another NIS 100,000 to Sitawi's two other minor children, and the remainder was divided among her six siblings. The court stipulated that the compensation for the minors would be held in a dedicated account until they reach adulthood, with provisions for early withdrawal to fund psychological treatment.

The motive for the murder remains unclear. Police initially suspected a contract killing but could not gather sufficient evidence to prove it. Dagher has a prior conviction from 2017 for arms trafficking, for which he served 14 months in prison.

Following the sentencing, Tawfiq Sitawi, Rasha's cousin, expressed shock and grief, stating that the murder occurred in cold blood within the home while she was engaged in daily life with her children. He noted the tragedy occurred on the day designated for combating violence against women.