Hamas Leader's Sister Testifies in Israeli Court on Terror Charges

Sabah Haniyeh, the sister of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, testified in the Beersheba Magistrate's Court on Tuesday as part of a trial against her. Haniyeh, a resident of Tel Sheva, is accused of incitement and expressing identification with a terror organization. The indictment alleges that on the morning of October 7th, she wrote in a family WhatsApp group, "The war has begun." Three days later, on October 10th, she allegedly sent another message containing a prayer that included calls for the "destruction of the enemy" and phrases such as, "Oh God, count them by number and kill them and do not leave any of them," and "Oh God, do Your slaughter upon them and distance us from their evil."

During her testimony, Haniyeh stated that she lives in Tel Sheva with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with nearly 30 family members residing in two structures. She also testified that she previously lived in Gaza and did not attend school. She explained that the phone from which the messages were sent is used by everyone in the household, including children, and is used as needed. Haniyeh claimed she cannot read or write and relies on family members to read messages to her and to send messages on her behalf.

The trial centers on whether the messages attributed to her constitute incitement and identification with a terror organization, or if, as she claims, the phone was used by other family members in the home.