22 years in prison for brother who murdered his pregnant sister in front of her children

The Central District Court sentenced the half-brother of Aya Abu Hajaj to 22 years in prison for murdering her in front of her young children while she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Her cousin was sentenced to 17 years, and her father to 15 years. The murder took place in Lod in 2023 against the backdrop of a family dispute. The prosecution welcomed the sentences.

The Central District Court in Lod imposed heavy prison sentences on the three individuals involved in the murder of Aya Abu Hajaj, 26, who was killed in 2023 in front of her two young children while she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Her half-brother, who was about 14.5 years old at the time of the murder, was sentenced to 22 years in actual prison. Her cousin, who was about 15.5 years old, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The victim's father was convicted of aiding the murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The court ordered the defendants to pay her children financial compensation totaling over 300,000 shekels. According to the indictment, the murder was carried out due to Aya's refusal to return and live with her father and his family in the town of Hura. The two minors arrived masked at her home at night, ambushed her, and in the morning when she left with her children, her brother stabbed her about 20 times. The fetus in her womb did not survive. The prosecution welcomed the justice served and stated that the testimony of Aya's mother and sisters helped clarify the truth.