IDF soldier faces murder charges in connection with feud between Sawa'ad, Khaldi criminal groups

An IDF soldier was charged with murder on Wednesday for the killing of Hisham Hujeirat in connection with the feud between the Sawa'ad and Khaldi criminal organizations, the Israel Police announced.

According to police, Hujeirat's murder followed a separate incident at the Shefa-Amr Bus Terminal on July 1, when he was shot and wounded after the killing of Ali Sawa'ad.

On August 12, Hujeirat was shot outside his home by the 24-year-old soldier, who fled the scene alongside several accomplices, abandoning their vehicle in a forest near Bir al-Maksur, the soldier's city of residence.

Hujeirat was later pronounced dead on the scene by medical personnel.

Soldier arrested after returning to forest amid alleged attempt to burn vehicle

Lahav 433 investigators from the National Serious and International Crime Unit (YAHBAL) arrested the soldier after he returned to the forest carrying a bottle of gasoline, allegedly intending to burn the vehicle.

The investigators established a link between the soldier and Hujeirat's killing following a forty-day detention period, after which the Haifa District Attorney's Office filed a prosecutor's declaration announcing the intent to indict him.