Killing of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif
Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, a Palestinian who had stabbed an Israeli soldier, was fatally shot on March 24, 2016, in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of Hebron, by Elor Azaria, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier. Azaria shot Abdel Fattah al-Sharif in the head as the latter lay wounded on the ground. Azaria was arrested and the Israeli Military Police opened an investigation against him for the charge of murder, but later reduced the charge to manslaughter.
| Killing of Abdel Fattah al-Sharif | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict (2015–2016) | |
| Date | 24 March 2016 |
| Deaths | 2 (1 attacker shot before the incident) |
| Injured | 1 (Israeli soldier wounded before the incident) |
| Victim | Abdel Fattah al-Sharif |
| Perpetrator | Elor Azaria |
| Verdict | Found guilty |
| Convictions | 18 months' imprisonment, 12 months' probation, rank demotion |
| Charges | Manslaughter |
The soldier's act sparked widespread public debate in Israel, that became a continuation of an already widespread debate over how one should implement the rules of engagement orders in the wake of the wave of Palestinian political violence.
Azaria was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, twelve months' probation, plus a demotion in rank. He was released from prison after serving nine months.