Israeli Arab Sentenced to 24.5 Years for Terror Espionage and Arms Smuggling

A Beersheba District Court has sentenced Shahada Abu Alqian, a resident of the Negev's Bedouin community, to 24 and a half years in prison. The sentence, handed down on Wednesday, follows his conviction for aiding an enemy during wartime, terror offenses, and weapons violations as part of a plea deal. Abu Alqian was found to have acted on behalf of a Gaza-based terror organization, even enlisting in the IDF under their direction to gather intelligence.

According to the amended indictment, Abu Alqian decided to seek revenge against Israel and harm its security in 2019 after an administrative demolition order was issued for his father's home. In September of that year, he stole an M4 assault rifle, a magazine, and a laser sight from an IDF soldier in the Yatir area, burying them near his residence. By 2021, he had established contact with Gaza terror operatives via social media and Telegram, expressing support for the fight against Israel and seeking to join Hamas's military wing.

He subsequently operated on behalf of the terror group Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen, providing his handlers with information and photos of IDF bases, train stations, government companies, and shopping centers. He also reported on troop and helicopter movements in his area. In March 2022, a Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen operative known as "Abu Suleiman" contacted him to purchase weapons. Abu Alqian offered to sell him the rifle stolen from the IDF and insisted on delivering the weapons directly to the West Bank.

In May 2022, Abu Alqian recruited his cousin to assist him. Together, they loaded the M4 rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and five hand grenades into a vehicle and drove to the West Bank, where they hid the weapons for the terror organization. Around eight days after his enlistment, Abu Alqian was arrested by security forces, thwarting his activities.

In December 2025, Abu Alqian pleaded guilty to aiding an enemy during wartime, active membership in a terror organization, aggravated theft, weapons offenses, and using weapons for terror purposes. The prosecution sought a lengthy prison sentence, emphasizing the severity of his ties to Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen, which was involved in the murder of the Bibas family during the recent war. The prosecution also noted that his details were transferred to the Interior Minister for consideration of revoking his citizenship. The court imposed the sentence, a suspended sentence, and a fine of 25,000 shekels, stating it reflects the gravity of the acts and the need for deterrence.