Palestinians Who Murdered Henkin Couple Get Life Sentences

An Israeli military court on Wednesday handed life sentences to four Palestinians who gunned down an Israeli couple in front of their children in the Shomron last year.

Four members of the Hamas terrorist organization shot dead Eitam and Naama Henkin, Hy”d, as they drove on Route 60 south of Shechem last October. Their four children, including a four-month-old infant, were in the car but were physically unharmed. Eitam was an American citizen.

The court sentenced all four members of the terror cell that killed the couple to two life sentences each, plus an additional 30 years imprisonment cumulatively.

Security officials said the Hamas cell was highly trained and had been active for months before the deadly attack.

The four terrorists, who had initially plotted to kidnap civilians, presumably to use in swaps for jailed Hamas members, were: Yahia Muhammad Naif Abdullah Hajj-hamad, allegedly the shooter; Samir Zahier Ibrahim Qusah; Karem Razik; and Amjad Aliwi.

When the terror cell, waiting in ambush, spotted the Henkin car approaching, one opened fire, shooting dozens of rounds at the car. Then they approached in an attempt to kidnap the couple. After that failed, they gunned down the Henkins, Hy”d, at close range – in front of the children.

Three of the four were also tried for prior terror attacks against Israelis, including a series of shootings in August 2015.

The cell members were found guilty in May. A fifth terrorist involved in the attack has been found guilty as well, but has yet to be sentenced.

Two other men who helped them plan the Henkin killings are awaiting trial.