Israeli Court Sentences 'Shooting Doctor' to 22 Months for Illegal Weapon Possession

The Beersheba District Court sentenced Rabee Abu Arar, a 34-year-old medical graduate from Ar'ara in the Negev, to 22 months in prison and fined him 100,000 shekels payable in 50 installments. Abu Arar, nicknamed the "Shooting Doctor," was convicted under a plea deal for illegal weapon possession, with the shooting charge dropped due to evidentiary difficulties.

Abu Arar was arrested in January by Israeli counterterrorism forces after a more than three-month manhunt, following suspicions he fired a stolen military weapon during a violent clash triggered by the murder of his brother, Samih Abu Arar, in October of the previous year. The confrontation involved gunfire and arson in Ar'ara. Prosecutors initially charged him with firearm offenses and shooting, supported by video evidence showing Abu Arar and another individual firing a long gun behind a house. However, a key witness later retracted her identification due to fear of retaliation.

The plea agreement was accepted by both the prosecution and defense attorney Mohammad Al-Amour, who highlighted Abu Arar's young age, clean record, medical education in Armenia, and tragic family circumstances. Abu Arar expressed remorse during the hearing, noting he is married with two young children and was preparing for his Israeli medical license exam. The court acknowledged the plea deal as a way to avoid lengthy litigation amid the evidentiary challenges.