Israel Sues Gun Smuggler for Cost of Medevac Helicopter

The State of Israel is seeking approximately $28,000 (105,000 shekels) from a convicted arms smuggler to cover the cost of his emergency helicopter evacuation. The civil lawsuit, filed by the State Attorney's Office on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, targets Hassan Al-Ma'abda of Kuseifeh, who was previously convicted of smuggling weapons and ammunition from Jordan into Israel.

According to the lawsuit, in June 2021, Al-Ma'abda was attempting to smuggle arms when security forces arrived. He fled and ignored demands to stop. During the pursuit, he was shot in the legs and injured, as was an IDF soldier. Al-Ma'abda required urgent medical transport, necessitating the dispatch of a "Yanshuf" (Owl) helicopter, which airlifted him and the soldier to Soroka Hospital. The cost of this air evacuation was approximately 105,000 shekels.

Al-Ma'abda pleaded guilty to charges including arms importation, trafficking, and obstructing an officer. In 2023, he was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, a suspended sentence, a 10,000 shekel fine, and a driver's license suspension.

The state argues that Al-Ma'abda's actions and his attempt to evade capture directly led to his injury and the subsequent need for the costly air evacuation. The lawsuit is based on grounds of negligence, breach of statutory duty, and unjust enrichment, with the Ministry of Defense requesting the court order Al-Ma'abda to pay the full amount, plus linkage differentials, interest, and legal expenses.