Criminal10/8/2026

Life Imprisonment for the Killing of Soldier Amit Ben Yigal

The Samaria Military Court sentenced Nazmi Abu Bakr to life imprisonment for intentionally causing the death of Staff Sergeant Amit Ben Yigal. The convicted man was also ordered to pay more than 4 million shekels in compensation.

Key facts

•Court: Samaria Military Court
•Date of the incident: May 12, 2020
•Date the judgment was published: October 8, 2026
•Sentence: Life imprisonment
•Compensation: More than 4 million shekels
•The case number was not specified in the source

What Happened

Amit Ben Yigal was killed on May 12, 2020, during an operation by security forces to arrest wanted persons in the village of Ya'bad in Samaria. The court determined that Abu Bakr threw half of a building block weighing between 9 and 11 kilograms from the roof of a building toward the soldiers, intending to cause their deaths. The block struck Ben Yigal and caused his death.

The Charges of Which He Was Convicted

In May 2026, Abu Bakr was convicted of intentionally causing death, an offense equivalent to murder under the military law applicable in Judea and Samaria. He was also convicted of obstruction of justice.

Attempt to Conceal Evidence

After the incident, Abu Bakr fled from the roof to his home and pretended to be asleep so that the security forces would not find him. After the soldiers left the area, he returned, collected pieces of the block, and threw them by the roadside in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.

The Court's Decision

The Samaria Military Court sentenced Abu Bakr to life imprisonment. In addition, the court ordered him to pay compensation exceeding 4 million shekels. The source did not specify the case number or the precise allocation of the compensation.

What this means for you

The decision indicates that intentionally causing death under the military law applicable in Judea and Samaria may result in life imprisonment. In addition to imprisonment, the court may order the convicted person to pay substantial compensation, and attempts to conceal evidence may lead to a separate conviction for obstruction of justice.

Find a lawyer for this topic

Case analysis based on court rulings