NAZARETH (PIC)– The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has decided to release Taysir Hayb an Israeli soldier who killed British solidarity activist Thomas Hurndall before completing his jail term.
Hebrew daily Haaretz said on Monday that Hayb who was sentenced to eight years in 2005 would get an early release next month.
Hayb shot Hurndall in April 2003 while he was aiding Palestinian children out of the line of Israeli occupation forces’ fire in Rafah south of the Gaza Strip.
A military committee overruled the Military Advocate General’s opinion and ordered the soldier’s release.
A military court found Hayb now 27 had violated orders in shooting the activist. In addition to manslaughter he was convicted of obstruction of justice and false testimony.
Military Advocate General Avichai Mendelblit opposed Hayb’s early release citing the potential damage such a move could cause to Israel’s relations with Great Britain.
