DHAKA: An Israeli soldier faces a 45-day jail term for the killing of two Gaza women carrying a white flag, under a plea bargain with a military court, the army and local media said.
The sniper, identified by Israeli media as `staff sergeant S`, was charged with manslaughter in 2010 over the fatal shooting of 64-year-old Riyeh Abu Hajaj and her daughter Majda Abu Hajaj, 37, during Israel`s 22-day war in the Gaza Strip that started in late December 2008.
But the Israeli military said the charge had on Sunday been reduced from manslaughter to using a weapon illegally, reports The Jerusalem Post.
`Following a mediation process and upon examination of the evidence with the recommendation of the military court, both sides have reached a plea bargain in which the indictment will be adjusted, and he will be convicted of using a weapon illegally,` a military statement said.
Under the deal, `S` would be jailed for 45 days, media reports said.
According to a report by Israeli rights group B`Tselem, the incident occurred on January 4, 2009, when the Abu Hajaj family evacuated their home after it was hit by an Israeli tank shell.
BDST: 0217 HRS, AUG 13, 2012
Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor
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