Soldier who killed British peace activist in Gaza freed from prison
Taysir Hayb, who was convicted of manslaughter of Tom Hurndall in 2003, released from prison early after military committee determined he changed lifestyle, is no longer dangerous
IDF soldier Taysir Hayb, who was convicted of the manslaughter of British photographer and peace activist Tom Hurndall to death in Gaza in 2003, was released from prison on Wednesday.
A military committee decided to release Hayb (27) from prison, after serving six and a half years out of his eight year sentence. The committee members stated they believed Hayb had changed his lifestyle and was no longer dangerous.
Hurndall, 21, was shot in the head during a demonstration in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. He never regained consciousness and died of his a few months later.
Col. Nir Aviram, who headed the panel of judges who convicted Hayb at the time, wrote, “When he (Hayb) served on the Philadelphi Route during heavy fighting, he shot a single unwarranted shot. That shot hit an innocent person, who suffered for nine months because of that shot."
The judges said the accused, “lied about a string of events in order to avoid responsibility for his actions,” and said Hayb acted against IDF ethos.
About two months ago Hayb appeared before a military committee for the fourth time and asked that his sentence be commuted. The committee members granted the request after determining that he had changed his lifestyle and was no longer dangerous.
The Military Prosecution had expressed its concern that Hayb's early release may hurt Israel's relations with the UK.
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