Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brutal Murder of Mother of Three

The Nazareth District Court has sentenced Nidal Dagher to life imprisonment plus an additional two years for the premeditated murder of 30-year-old Rasha Sitawi. Dagher shot Sitawi in the head at close range in her home on November 25, 2021, while her 10-year-old daughter watched. The court found that Dagher planned the murder, arriving with a helmet and a loaded pistol. Sitawi attempted to hide behind her daughter, but Dagher proceeded to shoot her in the head and then twice more to ensure her death. The court emphasized the severe psychological trauma inflicted on the child, declaring her a direct victim of the event. In addition to the life sentence, Dagher received suspended sentences, a 12-month driving license suspension, and the maximum legal compensation of 258,000 shekels to the victim's family. Dagher, who was divorced and a father of three, fled the scene on a scooter, crashing into a school bus during his escape before ditching the vehicle and weapon. He was arrested about a week later by Northern District Police investigators who used technological means and gathered numerous testimonies to track him down. A relative described the devastating impact on the children, who repeatedly asked when their mother would return.