Bedouin Man Sentenced to 24.5 Years for Terror Activities

A Bedouin man from the Negev has been sentenced to 24 and a half years in prison for aiding an enemy during wartime, actively belonging to a terror organization, and weapons offenses. Shahada Abu Alqian, a resident of the Bedouin diaspora, was convicted as part of a plea deal by the Beersheba District Court. In addition to the prison sentence, he received a suspended sentence and a fine of 25,000 shekels.

According to the indictment, Abu Alqian decided in 2019 to seek revenge against Israel and harm its security 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 near Yatir, burying them near his home. His connection with terror operatives in Gaza began in 2021, when he expressed support for the fight against Israel on social media and Telegram, seeking to join Hamas's military wing. He later acted on behalf of the terror organization Kata'ib Al-Mujahideen.

Abu Alqian provided his handlers with information and photos of IDF bases, train stations, government companies, and shopping centers. He also reported troop and helicopter movements in his area. In March 2022, a terror operative known as "Abu Sulaiman" contacted him, seeking to purchase weapons. Abu Alqian offered to sell him the stolen IDF rifle and insisted the weapons be transferred to the West Bank. Two months later, he enlisted his cousin to help transport an M4 rifle, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and five hand grenades to the West Bank, where they were hidden for the terror group.

Concurrently, and under his handler's direction, Abu Alqian enlisted in the IDF on May 22, 2022. His objective was to gather intelligence from within the army about Bedouin soldiers, bases, and military locations to pass on to the terror organization. He was arrested by security forces eight days after his enlistment, thwarting his activities.

In December 2025, Abu Alqian pleaded guilty to the amended charges as part of the plea deal. The prosecution sought a lengthy prison sentence, suspended sentences, and a substantial fine, highlighting the group's involvement in the murder of the Bibas family during the Swords of Iron War. The prosecution emphasized the severity of the case, with prosecutor Hofit Kantorovich stating, "An Israeli citizen chose to act against it, to maintain contact with a terror organization and even enlist in the IDF on behalf of a terror organization, with the aim of collecting information from within the IDF and harming the country's security." Her details have been transferred to the Interior Minister for consideration of citizenship revocation.