Hassan Yousef
Photo: Reuters
Military court: Release Hamas leader
Judges says Hamas West Bank leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef will be released if military prosecution doesn't appeal decision within three days
Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef is about to be released from his arrest of the State does not appeal the decision to release him in three days.
This is due to the military prosecution's inablity to prove his involvement in terrorism. Yousef was arrested along with another 206 Palestinians a month ago during Operation First Rain in which the IDF responded to Qassam rocket attacks.
Hassan Yousef was arrested due to his membership in a terrorist organization. Judges presiding over the case informed military prosecutors that unless they appeal their decision within three days, Yousef will be released to house arrest.
It should be noted that the 'house arrest' decision lacks realistic application, as Yousef will probably released in the Ramallah area, where the IDF has no full control.
Yousef is the highest ranking Hamas arrestees in the wave of arrests carried out by Israel against the organization during Operation First Rain, launched in response to massive Qassam rocket fire initiated by Hamas. Rockets fell on Sderot and the Western Negev.
In the past, Yousef was arrested as part of Operation Defensive Shield, launched following a wave of terror attacks in which over 100 Israeli citizens were murdered, before being released a few months ago.
He is seen as the leader of Hamas in the West Bank, and also as one of the moderating figures in the organization.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
