Shehada Assasination
Photo: Reuters
Commission to probe Shehada assassination
State Prosecution names commission members set to investigate 2002 assassination of senior Hamas operative that also led to death of 15 Palestinian civilians
The State Prosecution Monday handed the High Court of Justice the names of the committee members set to investigate the 2002 assassination of senior Hams leader Sheikh Salah Shehada. The IDF bombed Shehada’s home in July of 2002, leading to the death of 15 Palestinian civilians.
Chairing the committee will be former Chief Military Advocate General, Brigadier General Tzvi Inbar, who also formerly served as the Knesset legal council.
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The makeup of the commission was presented to the High Court pursuant to a petition by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, which demanded the appointment of a commission of inquiry regarding the Shehada assassination.
The State Prosecution has indicated that the establishment of this committee does not imply that criminal charges would be pressed against any individuals involved in this incident.
Aside from Brig.-Gen. Inbar, the commission will also include former Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Yitzhak Eitan, as well as Yitzhak Dar, a former prominent Shin Bet official. The State Prosecution noted that “the commission's unique makeup reflected the singular circumstances surrounding this case.”
The State Prosecution further stated that the commission’s chief task would be to examine whether Shehada’s assassination was justified and warranted even in light of the civilian casualties involved, and whether alternative action could have been taken in lieu of assassinating the Hamas operative.
The commission will produce a report highlighting its conclusions and findings regarding this incident, including operational lessons that can be learned in this respect, and may also recommend that the Shin Bet or the IDF chief of staff take punitive and legal measures against those involved.
