Bedouin Man Sentenced to 24.5 Years for Aiding Gaza Terror Group

The Beersheba District Court sentenced Shahada Abu Alqian, a resident of the Negev's Bedouin community, to 24.5 years in prison on Wednesday. Abu Alqian was convicted of aiding an enemy during wartime and other terror and weapons offenses as part of a plea deal. He acted on behalf of a terror organization from Gaza, even enlisting in the IDF to gather intelligence under their direction.

According to the indictment, Abu Alqian decided to seek revenge against Israel in 2019 after a 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 home. Starting in 2021, he contacted Gaza-based terror operatives via social media and Telegram, expressing support for the fight against Israel and seeking to join Hamas's military wing.

He subsequently worked for the "Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen" terror organization, providing them 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 terror operative known as "Abu Suleiman" contacted him to purchase weapons. Abu Alqian offered the stolen IDF rifle and insisted on delivering the weapons directly to the West Bank.

In May 2022, he recruited his cousin to assist in transporting the M4 rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and five hand grenades to the West Bank, where they were hidden for the terror group. Around eight days after enlisting in the IDF on May 22, 2022, under his handler's instructions to gather intelligence on Bedouin soldiers and military locations, Abu Alqian was arrested by security forces, thwarting his activities.

In December 2025, Abu Alqian was convicted after admitting to charges including aiding an enemy in wartime, active membership in a terror organization, aggravated theft, weapons offenses, and using weapons for terror purposes. The prosecution sought a lengthy prison sentence, conditional sentences, and a significant fine, emphasizing the severity of his ties to Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen, which was involved in the murder of the Bibas family during the Swords of Iron War. The court also imposed a conditional sentence and a fine of NIS 25,000.

Hofit Kantorovich, the prosecutor from the Southern District Attorney's Office, stated that the case was "exceptionally severe," involving an Israeli citizen acting against the state, contacting a terror organization, and enlisting in the IDF to gather intelligence. She noted that his details were also transferred to the Interior Minister for consideration of revoking his citizenship. The sentence reflects the gravity of the acts, the harm to national security, and the need for deterrence. The prosecution vowed to continue prosecuting those who aid terror groups and endanger national security.