The mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, Hussam Qawasmeh, was convicted and sentenced on Tuesday.
The Israeli military court sentenced Qawasmeh to three life sentences, and ordered him pay NIS 750,000 ($190,000) to the teens families in compensation.
Qawasmeh planned the kidnapping of Israeli teens Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Sha’ar and Eyal Yifrach, which triggered Operation “Brother’s Keeper”.
The teenagers were kidnapped on June 12th 2014, in the Gush-Etzion area. Though murdered within hours of their kidnapping, their bodies were only found 18 days later.
Thousands of policemen, soldiers and volunteers participated in the search for the missing teens.
In his interrogation, Qawasmeh admitted he planned the kidnapping-murder. He also financed it using NIS 200,000 that was transferred to him by Hamas members in Gaza.
Qawasmeh used the money he received from the Gaza Strip to buy weapons and the car which was used to execute the terror attack. Qawasmeh also helped the murderers bury the bodies and dispose of the weapons.
