Israel Demands Arms Smuggler Repay $28,000 for Medevac After Being Shot

Israel's State Attorney's Office has filed a civil lawsuit seeking approximately $28,000 (105,000 shekels) from an arms smuggler who was shot and injured by security forces during an attempted smuggling operation. The Ministry of Defense is demanding Hassan Alma'aba, a resident of Kuseife, repay the cost of his emergency helicopter evacuation.

According to the lawsuit filed in the Beersheba Magistrate's Court, Alma'aba was involved in smuggling weapons and ammunition from Jordan into Israel in June 2021. When security forces arrived, he fled and ignored orders to stop. During the pursuit, he was shot in the legs to prevent his escape, sustaining injuries. A soldier was also injured in the incident.

Alma'aba's subsequent medical evacuation required the deployment of a "Yanshuf" (Owl) helicopter, which transported him and the injured soldier to Soroka Hospital. The cost of this air evacuation amounted to about $28,000. Alma'aba has already been convicted in criminal proceedings for importing and trading weapons and obstructing a police officer. In 2023, he was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, a suspended sentence, a fine, and a driving license suspension.

The lawsuit argues that Alma'aba's actions and attempt to evade capture directly led to his injury and the need for the costly air evacuation. The state is seeking reimbursement for the evacuation costs, plus linkage differences, interest, and legal expenses, citing negligence, breach of statutory duty, and unjust enrichment as grounds for the claim.